Skip to main content

Full text of "Eight cousins : or, The aunt-hill"

See other formats 


b'^aVA    CO  us  (as 


BEFE 


NY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY     THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES 


3  3333  08125  1734 


mm 


G1549v«^ 


«_ .  CL^^- 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/eightcousinsorauOOalco 


Eight   Cousins; 


OR, 


THE    AUNT-HILL. 


BY 


LOUISA    M.  ALCOTT, 

AUTHOR  OF  "  LITTLE  WOMEN,"  "  AN  OLD-FASHIONED  GIRL,"   "  LITTLE  MEN," 

"rose    in    bloom,"     "under   the    LILACS,"     "  JACK    AND    JILL," 

"hospital  SKETCHES,"    "  WORK,"    "  SILVER    PITCHERS," 

"  AUNT    jo's    scrap-bag." 


mi\i  ^lU^tmixon, 


BOSTON: 
ROBERTS      BROTHERS. 

1887. 


Copyright,  1874, 
By  Louisa  M.  Alcott. 


University  Press  : 
John  Wilson  &  Son,  Cambridge. 


PBOPEETY  OF  THE 

CriY  OF  NEW  YOEK  ^ 


PREFACE. 


The  Author  is  quite  aware  of  the  defects  of  this  little 
story,  many  of  which  were  unavoidable,  as  it  first  appeared 
serially.  But,  as  Uncle  Alec's  experiment  was  intended 
to  amuse  the  young  folks,  rather  than  suggest  educational 
improvements  for  the  consideration  of  the  elders,  she 
trusts  that  these  short-comings  will  be  overlooked  by  the 
friends  of  :tlie  -Eight  Cousinj^.^  and  she  will  try  to  make 
amends  in  a  'second  vohime,-  whfcSi  shall  attempt  to  show 
The  Rose  in  rBLOcpii: :  l-H 

.  /"  *'*^  *''  '^'    ^  L.  M.  A. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.     Two  Girls 1 

II.     The  Clan 10 

III.  UxNCLES 23 

IV.  Aunts 37 

V.     A  Belt  and  a  Box 47 

VI.     Uncle  Alec's  Room 59 

VII.     A  Trip  to  China 71 

VIII.     And  what  Came  of  it 84 

IX,     Phebe's  Secret 93 

X.     Rose's  Sacrifice 108 

XI.     Poor  Mac 118 

XII.     "  The  Other  Fellows  " 129 

XIII.  CosEY  Corner 141 

XIV.  A  Happy  Birthday 149 

XV.     Ear-Rings 165 

XVI.     Bread  and  Button-Holes 179 

XVII.     Good  Bargains 191 

XVIII.     Fashion  and  Physiology 204 

XIX.     Brother  Bones 210 

XX.     Under  the  Mistletoe 226 

XXI.     A  Scare 241 

XXII.     Something  to  do 253 

XXIII.  Peace-making 265 

XXIV.  Which? 279 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

TWO   GIRLS. 

ROSE  sat  all  alone  in  the  big  best  parlor,  with  her 
little  handkerchief  laid  ready  to  catch  the  first 
tear,  for  she  was  thinking  of  her  troubles,  and  a  shower 
was  expected.  She  had  retired  to  this  room  as  a  good 
place  in  which  to  be  miserable ;  for  it  was  dark  and 
still,  full  of  ancient  furniture,,  sombre  curtains,  and 
hung  all  round  with  portraits  of  solemn  old  gentlemen 
in  wigs,  severe-nosed  ladies  in  top-heavy  caps,  and  star- 
ing children  in  little  bob-tailed  coats  or  short-waisted 
frocks.  It  was  an  excellent  place  for  woe ;  and  the 
fitful  spring  rain  that  pattered  on  the  window-pane 
seemed  to  sob,  "  Cry  away ;   I  'm  with  you." 

Rose  really  did  have  some  cause  to  be  sad ;  for  she 
had  no  mother,  and  had  lately  lost  her  father  also, 
which  left  her  no  home  but  this  with  her  great-aunts. 
She  had  been  with  them  only  a  week,  and,  though  the 
dear  old  ladies  had  tried  their  best  to  make  her  happy, 
they  had  not  succeeded  very  well,  for  she  was  unlike 
any  child  they  had  ever  seen,  and  they  felt  very  much 
as  if  they  had  the  care  of  a  low-spirited  butterfly. 

They  had  given  her  the  freedom  of  the  house,  and 


2  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

for  a  day  or  two  she  had  amused  herself  roaming  all 
over  it,  for  it  was  a  capital  old  mansion,  and  was  full 
of  all  manner  of  odd  nooks,  charming  rooms,  and  mys- 
terious passages.  Windows  broke  out  in  unexpected 
places,  little  balconies  overhung  the  garden  most  ro- 
mantically, and  there  was  a  long  upper  hall  full  of 
curiosities  from  all  parts  of  the  world ;  for  the  Camp- 
bells had  been  sea-captains  for  generations. 

Aunt  Plenty  had  even  allowed  Rose  to  rummage  in 
her  great  china  closet,  —  a  spicy  retreat,  rich  in  all  the 
"  goodies  "  that  children  love  ;  but  Rose  seemed  to  care 
little  for  these  toothsome  temptations ;  and  when  that 
hope  failed.  Aunt  Plenty  gave  up  in  desj^air. 

Gentle  Aunt  Peace  had  tried  all  sorts  of  pretty 
needle-work,  and  planned  a  doll's  wardrobe  that  would 
have  won  the  heart  of  even  an  older  child.  But  Rose 
took  little  interest  in  pink  satin  hats  and  tiny  hose, 
though  she  sewed  dutifully  till  her  aunt  caught  her 
wiping  tears  away  with  the  train  of  a  wedding-dress, 
and  that  discovery  put  an  end  to  the  sewing  society. 

Then  both  old  ladies  put  their  heads  together  and 
picked  out  the  model  child  of  the  neighborhood  to 
come  and  play  with  their  niece.  But  Annabel  Bliss 
was  the  worst  failure  of  all,  for  Rose  could  not  bear 
the  sight  of  her,  and  said  she  was  so  like  a  wax  doll 
she  longed  to  give  her  a  pinch  and  see  if  she  would 
squeak.  So  prim  little  Annabel  was  sent  home,  and 
the  exhausted  aunties  left  Rose  to  her  own  devices  for 
a  day  or  two. 

Bad  weather  and  a  cold  kept  her  in-doors,  and  she 
spent  most  of  her  time  in  the  library  where  her  father's 
books  were  stored.     Here  she  read  a  great  deal,  cried 


TWO    GIRLS.      '  3 

a  little,  and  dreamed  many  of  the  innocent  bright 
dreams  in  which  imaginative  children  find  such  com- 
fort and  delight.  This  suited  her  better  than  any  thing 
else,  but  it  was  not  good  for  her,  and  she  grew  pale, 
heavy-eyed,  and  listless,  though  Aunt  Plenty  gave  her 
iron  enough  to  make  a  cooking-stove,  and  Aunt  Peace 
petted  her  like  a  poodle. 

Seeing  this,  the  poor  aunties  racked  their  brains  for 
a  new  aniusement,  and  determined  to  venture  a  bold 
stroke,  though  not  very  hopeful  of  its  success.  They 
said  nothing  to  Rose  about  their  plan  for  this  Saturday 
afternoon,  but  let  her  alone  till  the  time  came  for  the 
grand  surprise,  little  dreaming  that  the  odd  child 
would  find  pleasure  for  herself  in  a  most  unexpected 
quarter. 

Before  she  had  time  to  squeeze  out  a  single  tear  a 
sound  broke  the  stillness,  making  her  prick  up  her 
ears.  It  was  only  the  soft  twitter  of  a  bird,  but  it 
seemed  to  be  a  peculiarly  gifted  bird,  for  while  she 
listened  the  soft  twitter  changed  to  a  lively  whistle, 
then  a  trill,  a  coo,  a  chirp,  and  ended  in  a  musical  mixt- 
ure of  all  the  notes,  as  if  the  bird  burst  out  laughing. 
Rose  laughed  also,  and,  forgetting  her  woes,  jumped 
up,  saying  eagerly,— 

"  It  is  a  mocking-bird.     Where  is  it  ?  " 

Running  down  the  long  hall,  she  peeped  out  at  both 
doors,  but  saw  nothing  feathered  except  a  draggle- 
tailed  chicken  under  a  burdock  leaf.  She  listened 
again,  and  the  sound  seemed  to  be  in  the  house.  Away 
she  went,  much  excited  by  the  chase,  and  following 
the  changeful  song  it  led  her  to  the  china-closet  door. 

"  In  there  ?     How  funny !  "  she  said.     But  when  she 


4  'EIGHT    COUSINS. 

entered,  not  a  bird  appeared  excej^t  the  everlastingly 
kissing  swallows  on  the  Canton  china  that  lined  the 
shelves.  All  of  a  sudden  Rose's  face  brightened,  and, 
softly  opening  the  slide,  she  peered  into  the  kitchen. 
But  the  music  had  stopped,  and  all  she  saw  was  a  girl 
in  a  blue  apron  scrubbing  the  hearth.  Rose  stared 
about  her  for  a  minute,  and  then  asked  abruptly,  — 

"  Did  you  hear  that  mocking-bird  ?  " 

"  I  should  call  it  a  phebe-bird,"  answered  the  girl, 
looking  up  with  a  twinkle  in  her  black  eyes. 
"  "  Where  did  it  go  ?  " 

"It  is  here  still." 

"Where?" 

''In  my  throat.    Do  yon  want  to  hear  it?" 

*'  Oh,  yes !  I  '11  come  in."  And  Rose  crept  through 
the  slide  to  the  wide  shelf  on  the  other  side,  being  too 
hurried  and  puzzled  to  go  round  by  the  door. 

The  girl  wiped  her  hands,  crossed  her  feet  on  the 
little  island  of  carpet  where  she  was  stranded  in  a  sea 
of  soap-suds,  and  then,  sure  enough,  out  of  her  slender 
throat  came  the  swallow's  twitter,  the  robin's  whistle, 
the  blue-jay's  call,  the  thrush's  song,  the  wood-dove's 
coo,  and  many  another  familiar  note,  all  ending  as 
before  with  the  musical  ecstasy  of  a  bobolink  singing 
and  swinging  among  the  meadow  grass  on  a  bright 
June  day. 

Rose  was  eo  astonished  that  she  nearly  fell  off  her 
perch,  and  when  the  little  concert  was  over  clapped 
her  hands  delightedly. 

"  Oh,  it  was  lovely !     Who  taught  you  ?  " 

"  The  birds,"  answered  the  girl,  with  a  smile,  as  she 
fell  to  work  again. 


TWO    GIRLS.  5 

«'  It  is  very  wonderful !  I  can  sing,  but  nothing  half 
80  fine  as  that.     What  is  your  name,  please  ?  " 

«  Phebe  Moore." 

"  I  've  heard  of  phebe-birds  ;  but  I  don't  believe  the 
real  ones  could  do  that,"  laughed  Rose,  adding,  as  she 
watched  with  interest  the  scattering  of  dabs  of  soft 
soap  over  the  bricks,  "  May  I  stay  and  see  you  work  ? 
It  is  very  lonely  in  the  parlor." 

"Yes,  indeed,  if  you  want  to,"  answered  Phebe, 
wringing  out  her  cloth  in  a  capable  sort  of  way  that 
impressed  Rose  very  much. 

"  It  must  be  fun  to  swash  the  water  round  and  dig 
out  the  soap.  I  'd  love  to  do  it,  only,  aunt  would  n't 
like  it,  I  suppose,"  said  Rose,  quite  taken  with  the  new 
employment. 

"  You  'd  soon  get  tired,  so  you  'd  better  keep  tidy 
and  look  on." 

"I  suppose  you  help  your  mother  a  good  deal?" 

"  I  have  n't  got  any  folks." 

"  Why,  where  do  you  live,  then  ?  " 

"  I  'm  going  to  live  here,  I  hope.  Debby  wants  some 
one  to  help  round,  and  I  've  come  to  try  for  a  week." 

"  I  hope  you  will  stay,  for  it  is  very  dull,"  said  Rose, 
who  had  taken  a  sudden  fancy  to  this  girl,  who  sung 
like  a  bird  and  worked  like  a  woman. 

"  Hope  I  shall ;  for  I  'm  fifteen  now,  and  old  enough 
to  earn  my  own  living.  You  have  come  to  stay  a  spell, 
haven't  you?"  asked  Phebe,  looking  up  at  her  guest 
and  wondering  how  life  could  be  dull  to  a  girl  who 
wore  a  silk  frock,  a  daintily  frilled  apron,  a  pretty 
locket,  and  had  her  hair  tied  up  with  a  velvet  snood. 

"  Yes,  I  shall  stay  till  my  uncle  comes.     He  is  my 


6  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

guardian  now,  and  I  don't  know  what  he  will  do  with 
me.     Have  you  a  guardian  ?  " 

"  My  sakes,  no !  I  was  left  on  the  poor-house  steps 
a  little  mite  of  a  baby,  and  Miss  Rogers  took  a  liking 
to  me,  so  I  've  been  there  ever  since.  But  she  is  dead 
now,  and  I  take  care  of  myself." 

"  How  interesting !  It  is  like  Arabella  Montgomery 
in  the  '  Gypsy's  Child.'  Did  you  ever  read  that  sweet 
story  ?  "  asked  Rose,  who  was  fond  of  tales  of  found- 
Ungs,  and  had  read  many. 

"  I  don't  have  any  books  to  read,  and  all  the  spare 
time  I  get  I  run  off  into  the  woods ;  that  rests  me 
better  than  stories,"  answered  Phebe,  as  she  finished 
one  job  and  began  on  another. 

Rose  watched  her  as  she  got  out  a  great  pan  of  beans 
to  look  over,  and  wondered  how  it  would  seem  to  have 
life  all  work  and  no  play.  Presently  Phebe  seemed 
to  think  it  was  her  turn  to  ask  questions,  and  said, 
wistfully,  — 

"  You  've  had  lots  of  schooling,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"Oh,  dear  me,  yes!  I've  been  at  boarding-school 
nearly  a  year,  and  I  'm  almost  dead  with  lessons.  The 
more  I  got,  the  more  Miss  Power  gave  me,  and  I  was 
so  miserable  I  'most  cried  my  eyes  out.  Papa  never 
gave  me  hard  things  to  do,  and  he  always  taught  me 
so  pleasantly  I  loved  to  study.  Oh,  we  were  so  happy 
and  so  fond  of  one  another !  But  now  he  is  gone,  and 
I  am  left  all  alone." 

The  tear  that  would  not  come  when  Rose  sat  wait- 
ing for  it  came  now  of  its  own  accord,  —  two  of  them 
in  fact,  —  and  rolled  down  her  cheeks,  telling  the  tale 
of  love  and  sorrow  better  than  any  words  could  do  it. 


TWO    GIRLS.  7 

For  a  minute  there  was  no  sound  in  the  kitchen  but 
the  little  daughter's  sobbing  and  the  sympathetic  pat- 
ter of  the  rain.  Phebe  stopped  rattling  her  beans  from 
one  pan  to  the  other,  and  her  eyes  were  full  of  pity  as 
they  rested  on  the  curly  head  bent  down  on  Rose's 
knee,  for  she  saw  that  the  heart  under  the  pretty  locket 
ached  with  its  loss,  and  the  dainty  apron  was  used  to 
dry  sadder  tears  than  any  she  had  ever  shed. 

Somehow,  she  felt  more  contented  with  her  brown 
calico  gown  and  blue-checked  pinafore  ;  envy  changed 
to  compassion ;  and  if  she  had  dared  she  would  have 
gone  and  hugged  her  afflicted  guest. 

Fearing  that  might  not  be  considered  proper,  she 
said,  in  her  cheery  voice,  — 

"  I  'm  sure  you  ain't  all  alone  with  such  a  lot  of  folks 
belonging  to  you,  and  all  so  rich  and  clever.  You  '11 
be  petted  to  pieces,  Debby  says,  because  you  are  the 
only  girl  in  the  family." 

Phebe's  last  words  made  Rose  smile  in  spite  of  her 
tears,  and  she  looked  out  from  behind  her  apron  with 
an  April  face,  saying  in  a  tone  of  comic  distress,  — 

"  That 's  one  of  my  troubles !  I  've  got  six  aunts,  and 
they  all  want  me,  and  I  don't  know  any  of  them  very 
well.  Papa  named  this  place  the  Aunt-hill,  and  now 
I  see  why." 

Phebe  laughed  with  her  as  she  said  encouragingly, — 

"  Every  one  calls  it  so,  and  it 's  a  real  good  name, 
for  all  the  Mrs.  Campbells  live  handy  by,  and  keep 
coming  up  to  see  the  old  ladies." 

"  I  could  stand  the  aunts,  but  there  are  dozens  of 
cousins,  dreadful  boys  all  of  them,  and  I  detest  boys ! 
Some  of  them  came  to  see  me  last  Wednesday,  but  I 


8  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

was  lying  down,  and  when  auntie  came  to  call  rae 
I  went  under  the  quilt  and  pretended  to  be  asleep.  I 
shall  have  to  see  them  some  time,  but  I  do  dread  it  so." 
And  Rose  gave  a  shudder,  for,  having  lived  alone  with 
her  invalid  father,  she  knew  nothing  of  boys,  and  con- 
sidered them  a  species  of  wild  animal. 

"  Oh  !  I  guess  you  '11  like  'em.  I  've  seen  'em  flying 
round  when  they  come  over  from  the  Point,  some- 
times in  their  boats  and  sometimes  on  horseback.  If 
you  like  boats  and  horses,  you'll  enjoy  yourself  first- 
rate." 

"  But  I  don't !  I  'm  afraid  of  horses,  and  boats  make 
me  ill,  and  I  hate  boys  ! "  And  poor  Rose  wrung  her 
hands  at  the  awful  prospect  before  her.  One  of  these 
liorrors  alone  she  could  have  borne,  but  all  together 
were  too  much  for  her,  and  she  began  to  think  of  a 
speedy  return  to  the  detested  school. 

Phebe  laughed  at  her  woe  till  the  beans  danced  in 
the  pan,  but  tried  to  comfort  her  by  suggesting  a  means 
of  relief. 

"  Perhaps  your  uncle  will  take  you  away  where  there 
ain't  any  boys.  Debby  says  he  is  a  real  kind  man,  and 
always  brings  heaps  of  nice  things  when  he  comes." 

"  Yes,  but  you  see  that  is  another  trouble,  for  I  don't 
know  Uncle  Alec  at  all.  He  hardly  ever  came  to  see 
us,  though  he  sent  me  pretty  things  very  often.  Now 
I  belong  to  him,  and  shall  have  to  mind  him,  till  I  am 
eighteen.  I  may  not  like  him  a  bit,  and  I  fret  about  it 
all  the  time." 

"  Well,  I  would  n't  borrow  trouble,  but  have  a  real 
good  time.  I  'm  sure  I  should  think  I  was  in  clover  if 
I  had  folks  and  money,  and  nothing  to  do  but  enjoy 


TWO    GIRLS.  9 

myself,"  began  Phebe,  but  got  no  further,  for  a  sudden 
rush  and  rumble  outside  made  them  both  jumj^. 

« It 's  thunder,"  said  Phebe. 

"  It 's  a  circus ! "  cried  Rose,  who  from  her  elevated 
perch  had  caught  glimpses  of  a  gay  cart  of  some  sort 
and  several  ponies  with  flying  manes  and  tails. 

The  sound  died  away,  and  the  girls  were  about  to 
continue  their  confidences  when  old  Debby  appeared, 
looking  rather  cross  and  sleepy  after  her  nap. 

"  You  are  wanted  in  the  parlor,  Miss  Rose." 

"  Has  anybody  come  ?  " 

"  Little  girls  should  n't  ask  questions,  but  do  as  they 
are  bid,"  was  all  Debby  would  answer. 

"  I  do  hope  it  is  n't  Aunt  Myra ;  she  always  scares 
me  out  of  my  wits  asking  how  my  cough  is,  and  groan- 
ing over  me  as  if  I  was  going  to  die,"  said  Rose,  pre- 
paring to  retire  the  way  she  came,  for  the  slide,  being 
cut  for  the  admission  of  bouncing  Christmas  turkeys 
and  puddings,  was  plenty  large  enough  for  a  slender 
girl. 

"  Guess  you  '11  wish  it  was  Aunt  Myra  when  you  see 
who  has  come.  Don't  never  let  me  catch  you  coming 
into  my  kitchen  that  way  again,  or  I  '11  shut  you  up  in 
the  big  biler,"  growled  Debby,  who  thought  it  her  duty 
to  snub  children  on  all  occasions. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE   CLAN. 

ROSE  scrambled  into  the  china-closet  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  and  there  refreshed  herself  by  making 
faces  at  Debby,  while  she  settled  her  plumage  and 
screwed  up  her  courage.  Then  she  crept  softly  down 
the  hall  and  peeped  into  the  parlor.  No  one  appeared, 
and  all  was  so  still  she  felt  sure  the  company  was  up- 
stairs. So  she  skipped  boldly  through  the  half-open 
folding-doors,  to  behold  on  the  other  side  a  sight  that 
nearly  took  her  breath  away. 

Seven  boys  stood  in  a  row,  —  all  ages,  all  sizes,  all 
yellow-haired  and  blue-eyed,  all  in  full  Scotch  costume, 
and  all  smiHng,  nodding,  and  saying  as  with  one  voice, 
*'  How  are  you,  cousin  ?  " 

Rose  gave  a  little  gasp  and  looked  wildly  about  her 
as  if  ready  to  fly,  for  fear  magnified  the  seven  and  the 
room  seemed  full  of  boys.  Before  she  could  run,  how- 
ever, the  tallest  lad  stepped  out  of  the  line,  saying 
pleasantly,  — 

"Don't  be  frightened.  This  is  the  clan  come  to 
welcome  you;  and  I'm  the  chief,  Archie,  at  your 
service." 

He  held  out  his  hand  as  he  spoke,  and  Rose  timidly 


THE   CLAN 


,    11 


The  Eight  Cousins.  —  Page  lo. 


12  EIGHT  COUSINS. 

put  her  OTV-n  into  a  brown  paw,  which  closed  over  the 
white  morsel  and  held  it  as  the  chief  continued  his 
introductions. 

"We  came  in  full  rig,  for  we  always  turn  out  in 
style  on  grand  occasions.  Hope  you  like  it.  Now 
I  '11  tell  you  who  these  chaps  are,  and  then  we  shall  be 
all  right.  This  big  one  is  Prince  Charlie,  Aunt  Clara's 
boy.  She  has  but  one,  so  he  is  an  extra  good  one. 
This  old  fellow  is  Mac,  the  bookworm,  called  Worm 
for  short.  This  sweet  creature  is  Steve  the  Dandy. 
Look  at  his  gloves  and  top-knot,  if  you  please.  They 
are  Aunt  Jane's  lads,  and  a  precious  pair  you  'd  better 
believe.  These  are  the  Brats,  my  brothers,  Geordie 
and  Will,  and  Jamie  the  Baby.  Now,  my  men,  step 
out  and  show  your  manners." 

At  this  command,  to  Rose's  great  dismay,  six  more 
hands  were  offered,  and  it  was  evident  that  she  was 
expected  to  shake  them  all.  It  was  a  trying  moment 
to  the  bashful  child;  but,  remembering  that  they 
were  her  kinsmen  come  to  welcome  her,  she  tried  her 
best  to  return  the  greeting  cordially. 

This  impressive  ceremony  being  over,  the  clan  broke 
ranks,  and  both  rooms  instantly  appeared  to  be  per- 
yaded  with  boys.  Rose  hastily  retired  to  the  shelter 
of  a  big  chair  and  sat  there  watching  the  invaders 
and  wondering  when  her  aunt  would  come  and  rescue 
her. 

As  if  bound  to  do  their  duty  manfully,  yet  rather 
oppressed  by  it,  each  lad  paused  beside  her  chair  in 
his  wanderings,  made  a  brief  remark,  received  a  still 
briefer  answer,  and  then  sheered  off  with  a  relieved 
expression. 


THE    CLAN.  13 

Archie  came  first,  and,  leaning  over  the  chair-back, 
observed  in  a  paternal  tone,  — 

"  I  'm  glad  you  've  come,  cousin,  and  I  hope  you  '11 
find  the  Aunt-hill  pretty  jolly." 

"  I  think  I  shall." 

Mac  shook  his  hair  out  of  his  eyes,  stumbled  over  a 
stool,  and  asked  abruptly,  — 

"  Did  you  bring  any  books  with  you  ?  " 

"  Four  boxes  full.     They  are  in  the  library." 

Mac  vanished  from  the  room,  and  Steve,  striking 
an  attitude  which  disj^layed  his  costume  effectively, 
said  with  an  affable  smile,  — 

"We  were  sorry  not  to  see  you  last  Wednesday. 
I  hope  your  cold  is  better." 

"Yes,  thank  you."  And  a  smile  began  to  dimple 
about  Rose's  mouth  as  she  remembered  her  retreat 
under  the  bed-cover. 

Feeling  that  he  had  been  received  with  distin- 
guished marks  of  attention,  Steve  strolled  away  with 
his  top-knot  higher  than  ever,  and  Prince  Charlie 
pranced  across  the  room,  saying  in  a  free  and  easy 
tone,  — 

"  Mamma  sent  her  love  and  hopes  you  will  be  well 
enough  to  come  over  for  a  day  next  week.  It  must 
be  desperately  dull  here  for  a  little  thing  like  you." 

"  I  'm  thirteen  and  a  half,  though  I  do  look  small," 
cried  Rose,  forgetting  her  shyness  in  indignation,  at 
this  insult  to  her  newly  acquired  teens. 

"Beg  pardon,  ma'am;  never  should  have  guessed 
it."  And  Charlie  went  off  with  a  laugh,  glad  to  have 
struck  a  spark  out  of  his  meek  cousin. 

Geordie  and  Will  came  together,  two  sturdy  eleven 


14  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

and  twelve  year  olders,  and,  fixing  their  round  blue 
eyes  on  Rose,  fired  off  a  question  apiece  as  if  it  waa 
a  shooting  match  and  she  the  target. 

"  Did  you  bring  your  monkey  ?  " 

>'  No  ;  he  is  dead." 

"  Are  you  going  to  have  a  boat  ? '" 

"  I  hojoe  not." 

Here  the  two,  with  a  right-about-face  movement, 
abruptly  marched  away,  and  little  Jamie  demanded 
with  childish  frankness,  — 

"  Did  you  bring  me  any  thing  nice  ?  " 

"  Yes,  lots  of  candy,"  answered  Rose,  whereupon 
Jamie  ascended  into  her  lap  with  a  sounding  kiss  and 
the  announcement  that  he  liked  her  very  much. 

This  proceeding  rather  startled  Rose,  for  the  other 
lads  looked  and  laughed,  and  in  her  confusion  she  said 
hastily  to  the  young  usurper,  — 

"  Did  you  see  the  circus  go  by  ?  " 

"When?  Where?"  cried  all  the  boys  in  great 
excitement  at  once. 

"  Just  before  you  came.  At  least  I  thought  it  was 
a  circus,  for  I  saw  a  red  and  black  sort  of  cart  and 
ever  so  many  little  ponies,  and  —  " 

She  got  no  farther,  for  a  general  shout  made  her 
pause  suddenly,  as  Archie  explained  the  joke  by  saying 
in  the  middle  of  his  laugh, — 

"  It  was  our  new  dog-cart  and  the  Shetland  ponies. 
You  '11  never  hear  the  last  of  your  circus,  cousin." 

"But  there  were  so  many,  and  they  went  so  fast, 
and  tlie  cart  was  so  very  red,"  began  Rose,  trying  to 
explain  her  mistake. 

"  Come  and  see  them  uH !  "  cried  the  Prince.     And 


THE    CLAN.  15 

before  she  knew  what  was  happening  she  was  borne 
away  to  the  barn  and  tumultuously  introduced  to  three 
shaggy  ponies  and  the  gay  new  dog-cart. 

She  had  never  visited  these  regions  before,  and  had 
her  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of  her  being  there  now, 
but  when  she  suggested  tliat  "  Auntie  might  not  like 
it,"  there  was  a  general  cry  of,  — 

"  She  told  us  to  amuse  you,  and  we  can  do  it  ever 
so  much  better  out  here  than  poking  round  in  the 
house." 

"I'm  afraid  I  shall  got  ccld  vithout  my  sacque," 
began  Rose,  who  wanted  to  s  ay,  but  felt  rather  out 
of  her  element. 

"  No,  you  won't !  We  '11  fix  you,"  cried  the  lads, 
as  one  clapped  his  cap  on  her  head,  another  tied  a 
rough  jacket  round  her  neck  by  the  sleeves,  a  third 
nearly  smothered  her  in  a  carriage  blanket,  and  a 
fourth  threw  open  the  door  of  the  old  barouche  that 
stood  there,  saying  with  a  flourish,  — 

"  Step  in,  ma'am,  and  make  yourself  comfortable 
while  we  show  you  some  fun." 

So  Rose  sat  in  state  enjoying  herself  very  much, 
for  the  lads  proceeded  to  dance  a  Highland  Fling  with 
a  spirit  and  skill  that  made  her  clap  her  hands  and 
laugh  as  she  had  not  done  for  weeks. 

"  How  is  that,  my  lassie  ?  "  asked  the  Prince,  coming 
up  all  flushed  and  breathless  when  the  ballet  was  over. 

"  It  was  splendid  !  I  never  went  to  the  theatre  but 
once,  and  the  dancing  was  not  half  so  pretty  as  this. 
What  clever  boys  you  must  be ! "  said  Rose,  smiling 
upon  her  kinsmen  like  a  little  queen  upon  her  subjects. 

"Ah,  we're  a  fine  lot,  and  that  is  only  the  begin- 


16  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

ning  of  our  larks.     We  haven't  got  the   pipes   here 

or  we  'd 

'  Sing  for  you,  play  for  you 
A  dulcy  melody.' " 

answered  Charlie,  looking  much  elated  at  her  praise. 

"  I  did  not  know  we  were  Scotch ;  papa  never  said 
any  thing  about  it,  or  seemed  to  care  about  Scotland, 
except  to  have  me  sing  the  old  ballads,"  said  Rose,  be- 
ginning to  feel  as  if  she  had  left  America  behind  her 
somewhere. 

"  Neither  did  we  till  lately.  We  Ve  been  reading 
Scott's  novels,  and  all  of  a  sudden  we  remembered  that 
our  grandfather  was  a  Scotchman.  So  we  hunted  up 
the  old  stories,  got  a  bagpipe,  put  on  our  plaids,  and 
went  in,  heart  and  soul,  for  the  glory  of  the  clan. 
We've  been  at  it  some  time  now,  and  it 's  great  fun. 
Our  peojDle  like  it,  and  I  think  we  are  a  pretty  canny 
set." 

Archie  said  this  from  the  other  coach-step,  where 
he  had  perched,  while  the  rest  climbed  up  before  and 
behind  to  join  in  the  chat  as  they  rested. 

"I'm  Fitzjames  and  he 's  Roderick  Dhu,  and  we  '11 
give  you  the  broadsword  combat  some  day.  It's  a 
great  thing,  you  'd  better  believe,"  added  the  Prince. 

"  Yes,  and  you  should  hear  Steve  play  the  pipes. 
lie  makes  'em  skirl  like  a  good  one,"  cried  Will  from 
the  box,  eager  to  air  the  accomi^lishments  of  his  race. 

"Mac's  the  fellow  to  hunt  up  the  old  stories  and 
tell  us  how  to  dress  right,  and  pick  out  rousing  bits 
for  us  to  speak  and  sing,"  put  in  Geordie,  saying  a 
good  word  for  the  absent  Worm. 

"And  what  do  you  and  AVill  do?"  asked  Rose  of 


THE    CLAN.  17 

Jamie,  who  sat  beside  her  as  if  bound  to  keep  her  in 
sight  till  the  promised  gift  had  been  handed  over. 

"  Oh,  I  'm  the  little  foot-page,  and  do  errands,  and 
Will  and  Geordie  are  the  troops  when  we  march,  and 
the  stags  when  we  hunt,  and  the  traitors  when  we 
want  to  cut  any  heads  off." 

"  They  are  very  obliging,  I  'm  sure,"  said  Rose, 
whereat  the  "  utility  men  "  beamed  with  modest  pride, 
and  resolved  to  enact  Wallace  and  Montrose  as  soon 
as  possible  for  their  cousin's  special  benefit. 

"  Let 's  have  a  game  of  tag,"  cried  the  Prince,  swing- 
ing himself  up  to  a  beam  with  a  sounding  slajD  on 
Stevie's  shoulder. 

Regardless  of  his  gloves,  Dandy  tore  after  him,  and 
the  rest  swarmed  in  every  direction  as  if  bent  on 
breaking  their  necks  and  dislocating  their  joints  as 
rapidly  as  possible. 

It  was  a  new  and  astonishing  spectacle  to  Rose, 
fresh  from  a  prim  boarding-school,  and  she  watched 
the  active  lads  with  breathless  interest,  thinking  their 
antics  far  superior  to  those  of  Mops,  the  dear  departed 
monkey. 

Will  had  just  covered  himself  with  glory  by  pitch- 
ing off  of  a  high  loft  head  first  and  coming  up  all  right, 
when  Phebe  appeared  with  a  cloak,  hood,  and  rubbers, 
also  a  message  fi-om  Aunt  Plenty  that  "  Miss  Rose 
was  to  come  in  directly." 

"  All  right ;  Ave  '11  bring  her  !  "  answered  Archie, 
issuing  some  mysterious  order,  which  was  so  promptly 
obeyed  that,  before  Rose  could  get  out  of  the  carriage, 
the  boys  had  caught  hold  of  the  pole  and  rattled  her 
out  of  the  barn,  round  the  oval  and  up  to  the  front 


18  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

door  with  a  cheer  that  brought  two  caps  to  an  upper 
window,  and  caused  Debby  to  cry  aloud  from  the 
back  porch,  — 

"  Them  harum-scarum  boys  will  certainly  be  the 
death  of  that  delicate  little  creter !  " 

But  the  "delicate  little  creter"  seemed  all  the 
better  for  her  trip,  and  ran  up  the  steps  looking  rosy, 
gay,  and  dishevelled,  to  be  received  with  lamentation 
by  Aunt  Plenty,  who  begged  her  to  go  and  lie  down 
at  once. 

"  Oh,  please  don't !  We  have  come  to  tea  with  our 
cousin,  and  we  '11  be  as  good  as  gold  if  you  '11  let  us 
stay,  auntie,"  clamored  the  boys,  who  not  only  ap- 
proved of  "  our  cousin,"  but  had  no  mind  to  lose  their 
tea,  for  Aunt  Plenty's  name  but  feebly  expressed  her 
bountiful  nature. 

"  Well,  dears,  you  can  ;  only  be  quiet,  and  let  Rose 
go  and  take  her  iron  and  be  made  tidy,  and  then  we 
will  see  what  we  can  find  for  supper,"  said  the  old 
lady  as  she  trotted  away,  followed  by  a  volley  of  direc- 
tions for  the  approaching  feast. 

"  Marmalade  for  me,  auntie." 

"  Plenty  of  plum-cake,  please." 

"  Tell  Debby  to  trot  out  the  baked  pears."    _, 

"  I  'm  your  man  for  lemon-pie,  ma'am." 

"  Do  have  fritters  ;  Rose  will  like  '  em." 

"  She  'd  rather  have  tarts,  /  know." 

When  Rose  came  down,  fifteen  minutes  later,  with 
every  curl  smoothed  and  her  most  beruffled  apron  on, 
she  found  the  boys  loafing  about  the  long  hall,  and 
paused  on  the  half-way  landing  to  take  an  observation, 
for  till  now  she  had  not  really  examined  her  new-found 
cousins. 


THE    CLAN.  19 

There  was  a  strong  family  resemblance  among  them, 
though  some  of  the  yellow  heads  were  darker  than 
others,  some  of  the  cheeks  brown  instead  of  rosy,  and 
the  ages  varied  all  the  way  from  sixteen-year-old 
Archie  to  Jamie,  who  was  ten  years  younger.  None 
of  them  were  especially  comely  but  the  Prince,  yet  all 
were  hearty,  haj^py-looking  lads,  and  Rose  decided 
that  boys  were  not  as  dreadful  as  she  had  expected 
to  find  them. 

They  were  all  so  characteristically  employed  that 
she  could  not  help  smiling  as  she  looked.  Archie  and 
Charlie,  evidently  great  cronies,  were  pacing  up  and 
down,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  whistling  "  Boimie  Dun- 
dee ; "  Mac  was  reading  in  a  corner,  with  his  book 
close  to  his  near-sighted  eyes ;  Dandy  was  arranging 
his  hair  before  the  oval  glass  in  the  hat-stand ;  Geordie 
and  Will  investigating  the  internal  economy  of  the 
moon-faced  clock ;  and  Jamie  lay  kicking  up  his  heels 
on  the  mat  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  bent  on  demand- 
ing his  sweeties  the  instant  Rose  appeared. 

She  guessed  his  intention,  and  forestalled  his  de- 
mand by  dropping  a  handful  of  sugar-plums  down 
ui^on  him. 

At  his  cry  of  rapture  the  other  lads  looked  up  and 
smiled  involuntarily,  for  the  little  kinswoman  stand- 
ing there  above  was  a  winsome  sight  with  her  shy, 
soft  eyes,  bright  hair,  and  laughing  face.  The  black 
frock  reminded  them  of  her  loss,  and  filled  the  boyish 
hearts  with  a  kindly  desire  to  be  good  to  "  our  cousin," 
who  had  no  longer  any  honie  but  this. 

"  There  she  is,  as  fine  as  you  please,"  cried  Steve, 
kissing  his  hand  to  her. 


20  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Come  on,  Missy ;  tea  is  ready,"  added  the  Prince 
encouragingly. 

"  /  shall  take  her  in."  And  Archie  offered  his  arm 
with  great  dignity,  an  honor  that  made  Rose  turn  as 
red  as  a  cherry  and  long  to  run  upstairs  again. 

It  was  a  merry  supper,  and  the  two  elder  boys 
added  much  to  the  fun  by  tormenting  the  rest  with 
dark  hints  of  some  interesting  event  which  was  about 
to  occur.  Something  uncommonly  fine  they  declared 
it  was,  but  enveloped  in  the  deepest  mystery  for  the 
present. 

"  Did  I  ever  see  it  ?  "  asked  Jamie. 

"Not  to  remember  it;  but  Mac  and  Steve  have, 
and  liked  it  immensely,"  answered  Archie,  thereby 
causing  the  two  mentioned  to  neglect  Debby's  delect- 
able fritters  for  several  minutes,  while  they  cudgelled 
their  brains. 

"Who  will  have  it  first?"  asked  Will,  with  his 
mouth  full  of  marmalade. 

"  Aunt  Plenty,  I  guess." 

"When  will  she  have  it?"  demanded  Geordie, 
bouncing  in  his  seat  with  impatience. 

"  Sometime  on  Monday." 

"  Heart  alive !  what  is  the  boy  talking  about  ? " 
cried  the  old  lady  from  behind  the  tall  urn,  which 
left  little  to  be  seen  but  the  topmost  bow  of  her  cap. 

"  Does  n't  auntie  know  ?  "  asked  a  chorus  of  voices. 

"  No ;  and  that 's  the  best  of  the  joke,  for  she  is 
desperately  fond  of  it." 

"  What  color  is  it  ?  "  asked  Rose,  joining  in  the  fun. 

"  Blue  and  brown." 

"  Is  it  good  to  eat  ?  "  asked  Jamie. 


THE    CLAN.  21 

"  Some  people  think  so,  but  I  should  n't  like  to 
try  it,"  answered  Charlie,  laughing  so  he  spilt  his 
tea. 

"  Who  does  it  belong  to  ?  "  put  in  Steve. 

Archie  and  the  Prince  stared  at  one  another  rather 
blankly  for  a  minute,  then  Archie  answered  with  a 
twinkle  of  the  eye  that  made  Charlie  explode  again,  — 

"  To  Grandfather  Campbell." 

This  was  a  poser,  and  they  gave  up  the  puzzle, 
though  Jamie  confided  to  Rose  that  he  did  not  think 
he  could  live  till  Monday  without  knowing  what  this 
remarkable  thing  was. 

Soon  after  tea  the  Clan  departed,  singing  "  All  the 
blue  bonnets  are  over  the  border  "  at  the  tops  of  their 
voices. 

"  Well,  dear,  how  do  you  like  your  cousins  ?  "  asked 
Aunt  Plenty,  as  the  last  pony  frisked  round  the  corner 
and  the  din  died  away. 

"  Pretty  well,  ma'am ;  but  I  like  Phebe  better." 
An  answer  which  caused  Aunt  Plenty  to  hold  up  her 
hands  in  despair  and  trot  away  to  tell  sister  Peace 
that  she  never  should  understand  that  child,  and  it 
was  a  mercy  Alec  was  coming  soon  to  take  the  respon- 
sibility off  their  hands. 

Fatigued  by  the  unusual  exertions  of  the  afternoon. 
Rose  curled  herself  up  in  the  sofa  corner  to  rest  and 
think  about  the  great  mystery,  little  guessing  that  she 
was  to  know  it  first  of  all. 

Right  in  the  middle  of  her  meditations,  she  fell 
asleep  and  dreamed  she  was  at  home  again  in  her  own 
little  bed.  She  seemed  to  wake  and  see  her  father 
bending  over  her ;  to  hear  him  say,  "  My  little  Rose  ;  " 


22      •  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

to  answer,  "  Yes,  papa  ;  "  and  then  to  feel  him  take  her 
in  his  arms  and  kiss  her  tenderly.  So  sweet,  so  real 
was  the  dream,  that  she  started  up  with  a  cry  of  joy 
to  find  herself  in  the  arms  of  a  brown,  bearded  man, 
who  held  her  close,  and  whispered  in  a  voice  so  like 
her  father's  that  she  clung  to  him  involuntarily,  — 
''  This  is  my  little  girl,  and  I  am  Uncle  Alec." 


CHAPTER    III. 

UNCLES. 

WHEN  Rose  woke  next  morning,  she  was  not 
sure  whether  she  had  dreamed  what  occurred 
the  night  before,  or  it  had  actually  happened.  So 
she  hopped  up  and  dressed,  although  it  was  an  hour 
earlier  than  she  usually  rose,  for  she  could  not  sleep 
any  more,  being  possessed  with  a  strong  desire  to  slip 
down  and  see  if  the  big  portmanteau  and  packing-cases 
were  really  in  the  hall.  She  seemed  to  remember  tum- 
bling over  them  when  she  went  to  bed,  for  the  aunts 
had  sent  her  off  very  punctually,  because  they  wanted 
their  pet  nephew  all  to  themselves. 

The  sun  was  shining,  and  Rose,  opened  her  window 
to  let  in  the  soft  May  air  fresh  from  the  sea.  As  she 
leaned  over  her  little  balcony,  watching  an  early  bird 
get  the  worm,  and  wondering  how  she  should  like 
Uncle  Alec,  she  saw  a  man  leap  the  garden  wall  and 
come  whistling  up  the  path.  At  first  she  thought  it 
was  some  trespasser,  but  a  second  look  showed  her  that 
it  was  her  uncle  returning  from  an  early  dip  into  the 
sea.  She  had  hardly  dared  to  look  at  him  the  night 
before,  because  whenever  she  tried  to  do  so  she  always 
found  a  pair  of  keen  blue  eyes  looking  at  her.     Now 


24  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

she  could  take  a  good  stare  at  him  as  he  lingered  along, 
looking  about  him  as  if  glad  to  see  the  old  place  again. 
A  brown,  breezy  man,  in  a  blue  jacket,  wrth  no  hat 
on  the  curly  head  which  he  shook  now  and  then  like  a 
water-dog ;  broad-shouldered,  alert  in  his  motions,  and 
with  a  general  air  of  strength  and  stability  about  him 
which  pleased  Rose,  though  she  could  not  explain  the 
feeling  of  comfort  it  gave  her.  She  had  just  said  to 
herself,  with  a  sense  of  relief,  "  I  guess  I  shall  like  him, 
though  he  looks  as  if  he  made  people  mind,"  when  he 
lifted  his  eyes  to  examine  the  budding  horse-chestnut 
overhead,  and  saw  the  eager  face  peering  down  at  him. 
He  waved  his  hand  to  her,  nodded,  and  called  out  in  a 
bluff,  cheery  voice,  — 

"  You  are  on  deck  early,  little  niece." 
"  I  got  up  to  see  if  you  had  really  come,  uncle." 
"  Did  you  ?     Well,  come  down  here  and  make  sure 
of  it." 

"  I  'm  not  allowed  to  go  out  before  breakfast,  sir." 
"  Oh,  indeed !  "  with  a  shrug.  "  Then  I  '11  come 
aboard  and  salute,"  he  added ;  and,  to  Rose's  great 
amazement.  Uncle  Alec  went  up  one  of  the  pillars  of 
the  back  piazza  hand  over  hand,  stepped  across  the 
roof,  and  swung  himself  into  her  balcony,  saying,  as  he 
landed  on  the  wide  balustrade  :  "  Have  you  any  doubts 
about  me  now,  ma'am  ?  " 

Rose  was  so  taken  aback,  she  could  only  answer  with 
a  smile  as  she  went  to  meet  him. 

"  How  does  my  girl  do  this  morning  ? "  he  asked, 
taking  the  little  cold  hand  she  gave  him  in  both  his  big 
warm  ones. 

"  Pretty  well,  thank  you,  sir." 


UNCLES.  25 

"  Ah,  but  it  should  be  very  icell     Why  is  n't  it  ?  " 

"  I  always  wake  up  with  a  headache,  and  feel  tired." 

"  Don't  you  sleep  well  ?  " 

"  I  lie  awake  a  long  time,  and  then  I  dream,  and  my 
sleep  does  not  seem  to  rest  me  much." 

"  What  do  you  do  all  day  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  read,  and  sew  a  little,  and  take  naps,  and  sit 
with  auntie." 

"  No  running  about  out  of  doors,  or  house-work,  or 
riding,  hey  ?  " 

"  Aunt  Plenty  says  I  'm  not  strong  enough  for  much 
exercise.  I  drive  out  with  her  sometimes,  but  I  don't 
care  for  it." 

"  I  'm  not  surprised  at  that,"  said  Uncle  Alec,  half 
to  himself,  adding,  in  his  quick  way :  "  Who  have  you 
had  to  play  with  ?  " 

"No  one  but  Annabel  Bliss,  and  she  was  such  a 
goose  I  could  n't  bear  her.  The  boys  came  yesterday, 
and  seemed  rather  nice ;  but,  of  course,  I  could  n't  play 
with  them." 

"Why  not?" 

"  I  'm  too  old  to  play  with  boys." 

"Not  a  bit  of  it:  that's  just  what  you  need,  for 
you  've  been  molly-coddled  too  much.  They  are  good 
lads,  and  you  '11  be  mixed  up  with  them  more  or  less 
for  years  to  come,  so  you  may  as  well  be  friends  and 
playmates  at  once.  I  will  look  you  u])  some  girls  also, 
if  I  can  find  a  sensible  one  who  is  not  spoilt  by  her 
nonsensical  education." 

"  Phebe  is  sensible,  I  'm  sure,  and  I  like  her,  though 
I  only  saw  her  yesterday,"  cried  Rose,  waking  up  sud- 
denly. 
2 


26  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  And  who  is  Phebe,  if  you  please  ?  " 

Rose  eagerly  told  all  she  knew,  and  Uncle  Alec  lis- 
tened, with  an  odd  smile  lurking  about  his  mouth, 
though  his  eyes  were  quite  sober  as  he  watched  the 
face  before  him. 

"I'm  glad  to  see  that  you  are  not  aristocratic  in 
your  tastes,  but  I  don't  quite  make  out  why  you  like 
this  young  lady  from  the  poor-house." 

"  You  may  laugh  at  me,  but  I  do.  I  can't  tell  why, 
only  she  seems  so  happy  and  busy,  and  sings  so  beauti- 
fully, and  is  strong  enough  to  scrub  and  sweep,  and 
has  n't  any  troubles  to  plague  her,"  said  Rose,  making 
a  funny  jumble  of  reasons  in  her  efforts  to  explain. 

"  How  do  you  know  that  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  was  telling  her  about  mine,  and  asked  if  she 
had  any,  and  she  said,  '  No,  only  I  'd  like  to  go  to  school, 
and  I  mean  to  some  day.' " 

"  So  she  does  n't  call  desertion,  poverty,  and  hard 
work,  troubles  ?  She 's  a  brave  little  girl,  and  I  shall 
be  proud  to  know  her."  And  Uncle  Alec  gave  an  ap- 
proving nod,  that  made  Rose  wish  she  had  been  the 
one  to  earn  it. 

"  But  what  are  these  troubles  of  yours,  child  ?  "•  he 
asked,  after  a  minute  of  silence. 

"  Please  don't  ask  me,  uncle." 

"  Can't  you  tell  them  to  me  as  well  as  to  Phebe  ?  " 

Something  in  his  tone  made  Rose  feel  that  it  would 
be  better  to  speak  out  and  be  done  with  it,  so  she 
answered,  with  sudden  color  and  averted  eyes, — 

"  The  greatest  one  was  losing  dear  papa." 

As  she  said  that.  Uncle  Alec's  arm  came  gently 
round  her,  and  he  drew  her  to  him,  saying,  in  the  voice 
80  like  papa's, — 


UNCLES.  27 

"  That  is  a  trouble  which  I  cannot  cure,  my  child  ; 
but  I  shall  try  to  make  you  feel  it  less.  What  else, 
dear?" 

"  I  am  so  tired  and  poorly  all  the  time,  I  can't  do 
any  thing  I  want  to,  and  it  makes  me  cross,"  sighed 
Rose,  rubbing  the  aching  head  like  a  fretful  child. 

"  That  we  can  cure  and  we  loill,''''  said  her  uncle,  with 
a  decided  nod  that  made  the  curls  bob  on  his  head, 
so  that  Rose  saw  the  gray  ones  underneath  the  brown. 

"  Aunt  Myra  says  I  have  no  constitution,  and  never 
shall  be  strong,"  observed  Rose,  in  a  pensive  tone,  as  if 
it  was  rather  a  nice  thing  to  be  an  invalid. 

"Aunt  Myra  is  a  —  ahem!  —  an  excellent  woman, 
but  it  is  her  hobby  to  believe  that  every  one  is  totter- 
ing on  the  brink  of  the  grave ;  and,  upon  my  life,  I 
believe  she  is  offended  if  people  don't  fall  into  it !  We 
will  show  her  how  to  make  constitutions  and  turn  pale- 
faced  little  ghosts  into  rosy,  hearty  girls.  That 's  my 
business,  you  know,"  he  added,  more  quietly,  for  his 
sudden  outburst  had  rather  startled  Rose.^ 

"  I  had  forgotten  you  were  a  doctor.  I  'm  glad  of  it, 
for  I  do  want  to  be  well,  only  I  hope  you  won't  give 
me  much  medicine,  for  I've  taken  quarts  already,  and 
it  does  me  no  good." 

As  she  spoke.  Rose  pointed  to  a  little  table  just  in- 
side the  window,  on  which  appeared  a  regiment  of 
bottles. 

"  Ah,  ha !  Now  we  '11  see  what  mischief  these  blessed 
women  have  been  at."  And,  making  a  long  arm.  Dr. 
Alec  set  the  bottles  on  the  wide  railing  before  him, 
examined  each  carefully,  smiled  over  some,  frowned 
over  others,  and  said,  as  he  put  down  the  last :  "  Now 


28  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

[  '11  show  you  the  best  way  to  take  these  messes."  And, 
as  quick  as  a  flash,  he  sent  one  after  another  smashing 
down  into  the  posy-beds  below. 

"  But  Aunt  Plenty  won't  like  it ;  and  Aunt  Myra  will 
be  angry,  for  she  sent  most  of  them  !  "  cried  Rose,  half 
frightened  and  half  pleased  at  such  energetic  measures. 

"  You  are  my  patient  now,  and  I  '11  take  the  respon- 
sibility. My  way  of  giving  physic  is  evidently  the 
best,  for  you  look  better  already,"  he  said,  laughing  so 
infectiously  that  Rose  followed  suit,  saying  saucily,  — 

"If  I  don't  like  your  medicines  any  better  than 
those,  I  shall  throw  them  into  the  garden,  and  then 
what  will  you  do  ?  " 

"  When  I  prescribe  such  rubbish,  I  '11  give  you  leave 
to  pitch  it  overboard  as  soon  as  you  like.  Now  what 
is  the  next  trouble  ? " 

"  I  hoped  you  would  forget  to  ask." 

"  But  how  can  I  help  you  if  I  don't  know  them  ? 
Come,  let  us  have  No.  3." 

"  It  is  very  wrong,  I  suppose,  but  I  do  sometimes 
wish  I  had  not  quite  so  many  aunts.  They  are  all  very 
good  to  me,  and  I  want  to  please  them ;  but  they  are 
so  different,  I  feel  sort  of  pulled  to  pieces  among  them," 
said  Rose,  trying  to  express  the  emotions  of  a  stray 
chicken  with  six  hens  all  clucking  over  it  at  once. 

Uncle  Alec  threw  back  his  head  and  laughed  like  a 
boy,  for  he  could  entirely  understand  how  the  good 
ladies  had  each  put  in  her  oar  and  tried  to  paddle  her 
own  way,  to  the  great  disturbance  of  the  waters  and 
the  entire  bewilderment  of  poor  Rose. 

"  I  intend  to  try  a  course  of  uncles  now,  and  see  how 
that  suits  your  constitution.     I  'm  going  to  have  you 


UNCLES,  29 

all  to  myself,  and  no  one  is  to  give  a  word  of  advice 
unless  I  ask  it.  There  is  no  other  way  to  keep  order 
aboard,  and  I  am  cajitain  of  this  little  craft,  for  a  time 
at  least.     What  comes  next  ?  " 

But  Rose  stuck  there,  and  grew  so  red,  her  uucIq 
guessed  what  that  trouble  was. 

"I  don't  think  I  cayi  tell  this  one.  It  wouldn't  be 
polite,  and  I  feel  pretty  sure  that  it  is  n't  going  to  be  a 
trouble  any  more." 

As  she  blushed  and  stammered  over  these  words.  Dr. 
Alec  turned  his  eyes  away  to  the  distant  sea,  and  said 
so  seriously,  so  tenderly,  that  she  felt  every  word  and 
long  remembered  them,  — 

"  My  child,  I  don't  expect  you  to  love  and  trust  me 
all  at  once,  but  I  do  want  you  to  believe  that  I  shall 
give  my  whole  heart  to  this  new  duty ;  and  if  I  make 
mistakes,  as  I  probably  shall,  no  one  will  grieve  over 
them  more  bitterly  than  I.  It  is  my  fault  that  I  am  a 
stranger  to  you,  when  I  want  to  be  your  best  friend. 
That  is  one  of  my  mistakes,  and  I  never  repented  it 
more  deeply  than  I  do  now.  Your  father  and  I  had 
a  trouble  once,  and  I  thought  I  never  could  forgive 
him ;  so  I  kept  away  for  years.  Thank  God,  we  made 
it  all  up  the  last  time  I  saw  him,  and  he  told  me  then, 
that  if  he  was  forced  to  leave  her  he  should  bequeath 
his  little  girl  to  me  as  a  token  of  his  love.  I  can't  fill 
his  place,  but  I  shall  try  to  be  a  father  to  her ;  and  if 
she  learns  to  love  me  half  as  well  as  she  did  the  good 
one  she  has  lost,  I  shall  be  a  proud  and  happy  man. 
Will  she  believe  this  and  try?" 

Something  in  Uncle  Alec's  face  touched  Rose  to  the 
heart,  and  when  he  held  out  his  hand  with  that  anx- 


30  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

ious,  troubled  look  in  his  eyes,  she  was  moved  to  put 
up  her  innocent  lips  and  seal  the  contract  with  a  con- 
fiding kiss.  The  strong  arm  held  her  close  a  minute, 
and  she  felt  the  broad  chest  heave  once  as  if  with  a 
great  sigh  of  relief ;  but  not  a  word  was  spoken  till  a 
tap  at  the  door  made  both  start. 

Rose  popped  her  head  through  the  window  to  say 
"  come  in,"  while  Dr.  Alec  hastily  rubbed  the  sleeve 
of  his  jacket  across  his  eyes  and  began  to  whistle 
again. 

Phebe  appeared  with  a  cup  of  coffee. 

"  Debby  told  me  to  bring  this  and  help  you  get  up," 
she  said,  opening  her  black  eyes  wide,  as  if  she  won- 
dered how  on  earth  "  the  sailor  man  "  got  there. 

"  I  'm  all  dressed,  so  I  don't  need  any  helj).  I  hope 
that  is  good  and  strong,"  added  Rose,  eying  the  steam- 
ing cup  with  an  eager  look. 

But  she  did  not  get  it,  for  a  brown  hand  took  pos- 
session of  it  as  her  uncle  said  quickly,  — 

"  Hold  hard,  my  lass,  and  let  me  overhaul  that  dose 
before  you  take  it.  Do  you  drmk  all  this  strong  coffee 
every  morning.  Rose  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  I  like  it.  Auntie  says  it  '  tones'  me 
up,  and  I  always  feel  better  after  it." 

"  This  accounts  for  the  sleepless  nights,  the  flutter 
your  heart  gets  into  at  the  least  start,  and  this  is  why 
that  cheek  of  yours  is  pale  yellow  instead  of  rosy  red. 
Kg  more  coffee  for  you,  my  dear,  and  by  and  by  you  '11 
see  that  I  am  right.  Any  new  milk  downstairs, 
Phebe?" 

"Yes,  sir,  plenty,  —  right  in  from  the  barn." 

"  That 's  the  drink  for  my  patient.     Go  bring  me  a 


UNCLES.  31 

pitcherful,  and  another  ciip ;  I  want  a  draught  myself. 
This  won't  hurt  the  honeysuckles,  for  they  have  no 
nerves  to  speak  of."  And,  to  Rose's  great  discomfort, 
the  coffee  went  after  the  medicine. 

Dr.  Alec  saw  the  injured  look  slie  put  on,  but  took 
no  notice,  and  presently  banished  it  by  saying  jDleas- 
antly,  — 

"  I  've  got  a  capital  little  cui?  among  my  traps,  and 
I  '11  give  it  to  you  to  drink  your  milk  in,  as  it  is  made 
of  wood  that  is  supposed  to  improve  whatever  is  put 
into  it, —  something  like  a  quassia  cup.  That  reminds 
me ;  one  of  the  boxes  Phebe  wanted  to  lug  upstairs 
last  night  is  for  you.  Knowing  that  I  was  coming 
home  to  find  a  ready-made  daughter,  I  picked  up  all 
sorts  of  odd  and  pretty  trifles  along  the  way,  hoping 
she  would  be  able  to  find  something  she  liked  among 
them  all.  Early  to-morrow  we  '11  have  a  grand  rum- 
mage. Here 's  our  milk !  I  propose  the  health  of  Miss 
Rose  Campbell  —  and  drink  it  with  all  my  heart." 

It  was  impossible  for  Rose-  to  pout  with  the  prospect 
of  a  delightful  boxful  of  gifts  dancing  before  her  eyes ; 
so,  in  spite  of  herself,  she  smiled  as  she  drank  her  own 
health,  and  found  that  fresh  milk  was  not  a  hard  dose 
to  take. 

"  Now  I  must  be  off,  before  I  am  caught  again  with 
my  wig  in  a  toss,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  preparing  to  descend 
the  way  he  came. 

"Do  you  always  go  in  and  out  like  a  cat,  uncle?" 
asked  Rose,  much  amused  at  his  odd  ways. 

"  I  used  to  sneak  out  of  my  window  when  I  was  a 
boy,  so  I  need  not  disturb  the  aunts,  and  now  I  rather 
like  it,  for  it 's  the  shortest  road,  and  it  keeps  me  lim- 


32  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

ber  when  I  have  no  rigging  to  climb.  Good-by  till 
breakfast."  And  away  he  went  down  the  water-spout, 
over  the  roof,  and  vanished  among  the  budding  honey- 
suckles below. 

"Ain't  he  a  funny  guardeen?"  exclaimed  Phebe,  as 
she  went  off  with  the  cups. 

"  He  is  a  very  kind  one,  I  think,"  answered  Rose, 
following,  to  prowl  round  the  big  boxes  and  try  to 
guess  which  was  hers. 

When  her  uncle  appeared  at  sound  of  the  bell,  he 
found  her  surveying  with  an  anxious  face  a  new  dish 
that  smoked  upon  the  table. 

"  Got  a  fresh  trouble.  Rosy  ?  "  he  asked,  stroking  her 
smooth  head. 

"  Uncle,  are  you  going  to  make  me  eat  oatmeal  ? " 
asked  Rose,  in  a  tragic  tone. 

«  Don't  you  like  it  ?  " 

"  I  de-test  it !  "  answered  Rose,  with  all  the  emphasis 
which  a  turned-up  nose,  a  shudder,  and  a  groan  could 
give  to  the  three  words. 

"  You  are  not  a  true  Scotchwoman,  if  you  don't  like 
the  '  parritch.'  It 's  a  pity,  for  I  made  it  myself,  and 
thought  we'd  have  such  a  good  time  with  all  that 
cream  to  float  it  in.  Well,  never  mind."  And  he  sat 
down  with  a  disappointed  air. 

Rose  had  made  up  her  mind  to  be  obstinate  about 
it,  because  she  did  heartily  "detest"  the  dish  ;  but  as 
Uncle  Alec  did  not  attempt  to  make  her  obey,  she 
suddenly  changed  her  mind  and  thought  she  would. 

"  I  '11  try  to  eat  it  to  jjlease  you,  uncle ;  but  people 
are  always  saying  how  wholesome  it  is,  and  that  makes 
me  hate  it,"  she  said,  half  ashamed  at  her  silly  excuse. 


UNCLES.  33 

"  I  do  want  you  to  like  it,  because  I  wish  my  girl  to 
be  as  well  and  strong  as  Jessie's  boys,  who  are  brought 
up  on  this  in  the  good  old  fashion.  Ko  hot  bread  and 
hied  stuff  for  them,  and  they  are  the  biggest  and  bon- 
niest lads  of  the  lot.  Bless  you,  auntie,  and  good 
morning !  " 

Dr.  Alec  turned  to  greet  the  old  lady,  and,  with  a 
firm  resolve  to  eat  or  die  in  the  attempt.  Rose  sat 
down. 

In  five  minutes  she  forgot  w^hat  she  was  eating,  so 
interested  was  she  in  the  chat  that  went  on.  It  amused 
her  very  much  to  hear  Aunt  Plenty  call  her  forty-year- 
old  nephew  "  my  dear  boy ; "  and  Uncle  Alec  was  so 
full  of  lively  gossip  about  all  creation  in  general,  and 
the  Aunt-hill  in  particular,  that  the  detested  j^orridge 
vanished  without  a  murmur. 

"  You  will  go  to  church  with  us,  I  hope.  Alec,  if  you 
are  not  too  tired,"  said  the  old  lady,  when  breakfast 
was  over. 

"  I  came  all  the  way  from  Calcutta  for  that  express 
purpose,  ma'am.  Only  I  must  send  the  sisters  word  of 
my  arrival,  for  they  don't  expect  me  till  to-morrow, 
you  know,  and  there  will  be  a  row  in  church  if  those 
boys  see  me  without  warning." 

"  I  '11  send  Ben  up  the  hill,  and  you  can  step  over  to 
Myra's  yourself ;  it  will  please  her,  and  you  will  have 
plenty  of  time." 

Dr.  Alec  was  off  at  once,  and  they  saw  no  more 
of  him  till  the  old  barouche  was  at  the  door,  and 
Aunt  Plenty  just  rustling  downstairs  in  her  Sunday 
best,  with  Rose  like  a  little  black  shadow  behind 
her. 

2»  c 


34  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Away  they  drove  in  state,  and  all  the  way  Uncle 
Alec's  hat  was  more  off  his  head  than  on,  for  every  one 
they  met  smiled  and  bowed,  and  gave  him  as  blithe  a 
greeting  as  the  day  permitted. 

It  was  evident  that  the  warning  had  been  a  wise  one, 
for,  in  sjDite  of  time  and  j^lace,  the  lads  were  in  snch  a 
ferment  that  their  elders  sat  in  momentary  dread  of 
an  unseemly  outbreak  somewhere.  It  was  simply  im- 
possible to  keei3  those  fourteen  eyes  off  Uncle  Alec, 
and  the  dreadful  things  that  were  done  during  sermon- 
time  will  hardly  be  believed. 

Rose  dared  not  look  up  after  a  while,  for  these  bad 
boys  vented  their  emotions  upon  her  till  she  was 
ready  to  laugh  and  cry  with  mingled  amusement  and 
vexation.  Charlie  winked  rapturously  at  her  behind 
his  mother's  fan  ;  Mac  openly  pointed  to  the  tall  fig- 
ure beside  her ;  Jamie  stared  fixedly  over  the  back 
of  his  pew,  till  Rose  thought  his  round  eyes  would 
drop  out  of  his  head ;  George  fell  over  a  stool  and 
dropped  three  books  in  his  excitement;  Will  drew 
sailors  and  Chinamen  on  his  clean  cuffs,  and  displayed 
them,  to  Rose's  great  tribulation ;  Steve  nearly  upset 
the  whole  party  by  burning  his  nose  with  salts,  as  he 
pretended  to  be  overcome  by  his  joy ;  even  dignified 
Archie  disgraced  himself  by  writing  in  his  hymn-book, 
"Isn't  he  blue  and  brown?''''  and  passing  it  politely 
to  Rose. 

Her  only  salvation  was  trying  to  fix  her  attention 
upon  Uncle  Mac,  —  a  portly,  placid  gentleman,  who 
seemed  entirely  unconscious  of  the  iniquities  of  the 
Clan,  and  dozed  peacefully  in  his  pew  corner.  This 
was  the  only  uncle  Rose  had  met  for  years,  for  Uncle 


UNCLES.  35 

Jem  and  Uncle  Steve,  the  husbands  of  Aunt  Jessie 
and  Aunt  Clara,  were  at  sea,  and  Aunt  Myra  was 
a  widow.  Uncle  Mac  was  a  merchant,  very  rich 
and  busy,  and  as  quiet  as  a  mouse  at  home,  for  he 
was  in  such  a  minority  among  the  women  folk  he 
dared  not  open  his  lii3s,  and  let  his  wife  rule  undis- 
turbed. 

Rose  liked  the  big,  kindly,  silent  man  who  came  to 
her  when  papa  died,  was  always  sending  her  splendid 
boxes  of  goodies  at  school,  and  often  invited  her  into 
his  great  warehouse,  full  of  teas  and  spices,  Avines  and 
all  sorts  of  foreign  fruits,  there  to  eat  and  carry  away 
whatever  she  liked.  She  had  secretly  regretted  that 
he  was  not  to  be  her  guardian ;  but  since  she  had  seen 
Uncle  Alec  she  felt  better  about  it,  for  she  did  not 
i^articularly  admire  Aunt  Jane. 

When  church  was  over,  Dr.  Alec  got  into  the  porch 
as  quickly  as  possible,  and  there  the  young  bears  had 
a  hug  all  round,  Avhile  the  sisters  shook  hands  and  wel- 
comed him  with  bright  faces  and  glad  hearts.  Rose 
was  nearly  crushed  flat  behind  a  door  in  that  danger- 
ous passage  from  pew  to  porch ;  but  Uncle  Mac  res- 
cued her,  and  jDut  her  into  the  carriage  for  safe 
keeping. 

"  Now,  girls,  I  want  you  all  to  come  and  dine  with 
Alec ;  Mac  also,  of  course.  But  I  cannot  ask  the 
boys,  for  we  did  not  expect  this  dear  fellow  till  to- 
morrow, you  know,  so  I  made  no  preparations.  Send 
the  lads  home,  and  let  them  wait  till  Monday,  for 
really  I  was  shocked  at  their  behavior  in  church," 
said  Aunt  Plenty,  as  she  followed  Rose. 

In  any  other  place  the  defrauded  boys  would  have 


36  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

set  up  a  howl ;  as  it  was,  they  growled  and  protested 
till  Dr.  Alec  settled  the  matter  by  saying,  — 

"Never  mind,  old  chajDS,  I'll  make  it  up  to  you 
to-morrow,  if  you  sheer  off  quietly ;  if  you  don't,  not 
a  blessed  thing  shall  you  have  out  of  my  big  boxes." 


CHAPTER    IV. 

A  UNTS. 

ALL  dinner-time  Rose  felt  that  she  was  going  to  be 
talked  about,  and  afterward  she  was  sure  of  it, 
for  Aunt  Plenty  whispered  to  her  as  they  went  into 
the  parlor, — 

"  Run  up  and  sit  awhile  with  Sister  Peace,  my  dear. 
She  likes  to  have  you  read  while  she  rests,  and  we  are 
going  to  be  busy." 

Rose  obeyed,  and  the  quiet  rooms  above  were  so 
like  a  church  that  she  soon  composed  her  ruffled  feel- 
ings, and  was  unconsciously  a  little  minister  of  happi- 
ness to  the  sweet  old  lady,  who  for  years  had  sat  there 
patiently  waiting  to  be  set  free  from  pain. 

Rose  knew  the  sad  romance  of  her  life,  and  it  gave 
a  certain  tender  charm  to  this  great-aunt  of  hers, 
whom  she  already  loved.  When  Peace  was  twenty, 
she  was  about  to  be  married  ;  all  was  done,  the  wed- 
ding-dress lay  ready,  the  flowers  were  waiting  to  be 
put  on,  the  happy  hour  at  hand,  when  word  came 
that  the  lover  was  dead.  They  thought  that  gentle 
Peace  would  die  too ;  but  she  bore  it  bravely,  put 
away  her  bridal  gear,  took  up  her  life  afresh,  and 
lived  on,  —  a  beautiful,  meek   woman,  with   hair   as 


38  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

white  as  snow  and  cheeks  that  never  bloomed  again. 
She  wore  no  black,  but  soft,  pale  colors,  as  if  always 
ready  for  the  marriage  that  had  never  come. 

For  thirty  years  she  had  lived  on,  fading  slowly, 
but  cheerful,  busy,  and  full  of  interest  in  all  that  went 
on  in  the  family  ;  especially  the  joys  and  sorrows  of 
the  young  girls  growing  up  about  her,  and  to  them 
she  was  adviser,  confidante,  and  friend  in  all  their 
tender  trials  and  delights.  A  truly  beautiful  old 
maiden,  with  her  silvery  hair,  tranquil  face,  and  an 
atmosphere  of  rejDOse  about  her  that  soothed  whoever 
came  to  her ! 

Aunt  Plenty  was  utterly  dissimilar,  being  a  stout, 
brisk  old  lady,  with  a  sharp  eye,  a  lively  tongue,  and 
a  face  like  a  winter-apple.  Always  trotting,  chatting, 
and  bustling,  she  was  a  regular  Martha,  cumbered 
with  the  cares  of  this  world  and  quite  happy  in  them. 

Rose  was  right;  and  while  she  softly  read  psalms 
to  Aunt  Peace,  the  other  ladies  were  talking  about 
her  little  self  in  the  frankest  manner. 

"Well,  Alec,  how  do  you  like  your  ward?"  began 
Aunt  Jane,  as  they  all  settled  down,  and  Uncle  Mao 
deposited  himself  in  a  corner  to  finish  his  doze. 

"I  should  like  her  better  if  I  could  have  begun  at 
the  beginning,  and  so  got  a  fair  start.  Poor  George 
led  such  a  solitary  life  that  the  child  has  suffered  in 
many  ways,  and  since  he  died  she  has  been  going  on 
worse  than  ever,  judging  from  the  state  I  find  her  in." 

"  My  dear  boy,  we  did  what  we  thought  best  while 
waiting  for  you  to  wind  up  your  affairs  and  get  home. 
I  always  told  George  he  was  wrong  to  bring  her  up  as 
he  did  ;  but  he  never  took  m^^  advice    and  now  here 


A  UNTS.  39 

we  are  with  this  poor  dear  child  upon  our  hands. 
I,  for  one,  freely  confess  that  I  don't  know  what  to 
do  with  her  any  more  than  if  she  was  one  of  those 
strange,  outlandish  birds  you  used  to  bring  home 
from  foreign  jDarts."  And  Aunt  Plenty  gave  a  per- 
plexed shake  of  the  head  which  caused  great  commo- 
tion among  the  stiff  loops  of  purple  ribbon  that  bristled 
all  over  her  cap  like  crocus  buds. 

"If  my  advice  had  been  taken,  she  would  have 
remained  at  the  excellent  school  where  I  placed  her. 
But  our  aunt  thought  best  to  remove  her  because  she 
complained,  and  she  has  been  dawdling  about  ever 
since  she  came.  A  most  ruinous  state  of  things  for 
a  morbid,  spoilt  girl  like  Rose,"  said  Mrs.  Jane, 
severely. 

She  had  never  forgiven  the  old  ladies  for  yielding 
to  Rose's  i^athetic  petition  that  she  might  wait  her 
guardian's  arrival  before  beginning  another  term  at 
the  school,  which  was  a  regular  Blimber  hot-bed,  and 
turned  out  many  a  feminine  Toots. 

"  J  never  thought  it  the  proper  school  for  a  child 
in  good  circumstances,  —  an  heiress,  in  fact,  as  Rose  is. 
It  is  all  very  well  for  girls  wdio  are  to  get  their  own 
living  by  teaching,  and  that  sort  of  thing ;  but  all  she 
needs  is  a  year  or  two  at  a  fashionable  finishing-school, 
so  that  at  eighteen  she  can  come  out  with  edat^''  put 
in  Aunt  Clara,  who  had  been  a  beauty  and  a  belle,  and 
was  still  a  handsome  woman. 

"  Dear,  dear !  how  short-sighted  you  all  are  to  be 
discussing  education  and  plans  for  the  future,  when 
this  unhappy  child  is  so  plainly  marked  for  the  tomb," 
sighed  Aunt  Myra,  with  a  lugubrious  sniff  and  a  sol- 


40  BIGHT   COUSINS. 

emn  wag  of  the  funereal  bonnet,  which  she  refused 
to  remove,  being  afflicted  with  a  chronic  catarrh. 

"Now,  it  is  my  opinion  that  the  dear  thing  only 
wants  freedom,  rest,  and  care.  There  is  a  look  in  her 
eyes  that  goes  to  my  heart,  for  it  shows  that  she  feels 
the  need  of  what  none  of  us  can  give  her,  —  a  mother," 
said  Aunt  Jessie,  with  tears  in  her  own  bright  eyes  at 
the  thought  of  her  boys  being  left,  as  Rose  was,  to  the 
care  of  others. 

Uncle  Alec,  who  had  listened  silently  as  each  spoke, 
turned  quickly  toward  the  last  sister,  and  said,  with  a 
decided  nod  of  apj^roval,  — 

"  You  've  got  it,  Jessie  ;  and,  with  you  to  help  me,  I 
hope  to  make  the  child  feel  that  she  is  not  quite  father- 
less and  motherless." 

"  I  '11  do  my  best,  Alec ;  and  I  think  you  will  need 
me,  for,  wise  as  you  are,  you  cannot  understand  a  ten- 
der, timid  little  creature  like  Rose  as  a  woman  can," 
said  Mrs.  Jessie,  smiling  back  at  him  with  a  heart  full 
of  motherly  good-Avill. 

"I  cannot  help  feeling  that  Z,  who  have  had  a 
daughter  of  my  own,  can  best  bring  up  a  girl ;  and  I 
am  very  much  surprised  that  George  did  not  intrust 
her  to  me,"  observed  Aunt  Myra,  with  an  air  of  mel- 
ancholy importance,  for  she  was  the  only  one  who  had 
given  a  daughter  to  the  family,  and  she  felt  that  she 
had  distinguished  herself,  though  ill-natured  people 
said  that  she  had  dosed  her  darling  to  death. 

"  I  never  blamed  him  in  the  least,  when  I  remember 
the  perilous  experiments  you  tried  with  poor  Carrie," 
began  Mrs.  Jane,  in  her  hard  voice. 

"  Jane  Campbell,  I  will  not  hear  a  word  !    My  sainted 


AUNTS.  41 

Caroline  is  a  sacred  subject,"  cried  Aunt  Myra,  rising 
as  if  to  leave  the  room. 

Dr.  Alec  detained  her,  feeling  that  he  must  define 
his  position  at  once,  and  maintain  it  manfully  if  he 
hoped  to  have  any  success  in  his  new  undertaking. 

"  Now,  my  dear  souls,  don't  let  us  quarrel  and  make 
Rose  a  bone  of  contention,  —  though,  upon  my  word, 
she  is  almost  a  bone,  poor  little  lass !  You  have  had 
her  among  you  for  a  year,  and  done  what  you  liked. 
I  cannot  say  that  your  success  is  great,  but  that  is 
owing  to  too  many  fingers  in  the  pie.  Now,  I  intend 
to  try  my  way  for  a  year,  and  if  at  the  end  of  it  she 
is  not  in  better  trim  than  now,  I  '11  give  up  the  case, 
and  hand  her  over  to  some  one  else.  That 's  fair,  I 
think." 

"  She  will  not  be  here  a  year  hence,  poor  darling,  so 
no  one  need  dread  future  responsibility,"  said  Aunt 
Myra,  folding  her  black  gloves  as  if  all  ready  for  the 
funeral. 

"By  Jupiter,  Myra,  you  are  enough  to  damp  the 
ardor  of  a  saint ! "  cried  Dr.  Alec,  with  a  sudden  spark 
in  his  eyes.  "Your  croaking  will  worry  that  child 
out  of  her  wits,  for  she  is  an  imaginative  puss,  and 
will  fret  and  fancy  untold  horrors.  You  have  put  it 
into  her  head  that  she  has  no  constitution,  and  she 
rather  likes  the  idea.  If  she  had  not  had  a  pretty 
good  one,  she  would  have  been  '  marked  for  the  tomb ' 
by  this  time,  at  the  rate  you  have  been  going  on  with 
her.  I  will  not  have  any  interference,  —  please  under- 
stand that ;  so  just  wash  your  hands  of  her,  and  let  me 
manage  till  I  want  help,  then  I  '11  ask  for  it." 

"Hear,  hear!"  came  from  the  corner  where  Uncle 
Mac  wns  apparently  wrapt  in  slumber. 


42  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  You  were  appointed  guardian,  so  we  can  do  noth- 
ing. But  I  predict  that  the  girl  will  be  spoilt,  utterly 
spoilt,"  answered  Mrs.  Jane,  grimly. 

"  Thank  you,  sister.  I  have  an  idea  that  if  a  woman 
can  bring  up  two  boys  as  perfectly  as  you  do  yours,  a 
man,  if  he  devotes  his  whole  mind  to  it,  may  at  least 
attempt  as  much  with  one  girl,"  replied  Dr.  Alec,  with 
a  humorous  look  that  tickled  the  others  immensely,  for 
it  was  a  well-known  fact  in  the  family  that  Jane's  boys 
were  more  indulged  than  all  the  other  lads  put  to- 
gether. 

"  I  am  quite  easy,  for  I  really  do  think  that  Alec 
will  improve  the  child's  health ;  and  by  the  time  his 
year  is  out,  it  will  be  quite  soon  enough  for  her  to  go 
to  Madame  Roccabella's  and  be  finished  off,"  said  Aunt 
Clara,  settling  her  rings,  and  thinking,  with  languid 
satisfaction,  of  the  time  when  she  could  bring  out  a 
pretty  and  accomplished  niece. 

"  I  suppose  you  will  stay  here  in  the  old  place,  unless 
you  think  of  marrying,  and  it 's  high  time  you  did," 
put  in  Mrs.  Jane,  much  nettled  at  her  brother's  last 
hit. 

"No,  thank  you.  Come  and  have  a  cigar,  Mac," 
said  Dr.  Alec,  abruptly. 

"Don't  marry;  women  enough  in  the  family  al- 
ready," muttered  Uncle  Mac ;  and  then  the  gentlemen 
hastily  fled. 

"  Aunt  Peace  would  like  to  see  you  all,  she  says," 
was  the  message  Rose  brought  before  the  ladies  could 
begin  again. 

"  Hectic,  hectic !  —  dear  me,  dear  me ! "  murmured 
Aunt  Myra,  as  the  shadow  of  her  gloomy  bonnet  fell 


A  UNTS.  43 

upon  Rose,  and  the  stiff  tips  of  a  black  glove  touched 
the  cheek  where  the  color  deepened  under  so  many 
eyes. 

"  I  am  glad  these  pretty  curls  are  natural ;  they  will 
be  invaluable  by  and  by,"  said  Aunt  Clara,  taking  an 
observation  with  her  head  on  one  side. 

"  Now  that  your  uncle  has  come,  I  no  longer  expect 
you  to  review  the  studies  of  the  past  year.  I  trust 
your  time  will  not  be  entirely  wasted  in  frivolous  sports, 
however,"  added  Aunt  Jane,  sailing  out  of  the  room 
with  the  air  of  a  martyr. 

Aunt  Jessie  said  not  a  word,  but  kissed  her  little 
niece,  with  a  look  of  tender  sympathy  that  made  Rose 
cling  to  her  a  minute,  and  follow  her  with  grateful 
eyes  as  the  door  closed  behind  her. 

After  everybody  had  gone  home.  Dr.  Alec  paced  up 
and  down  the  low^er  hall  in  the  twilight  for  an  hour, 
thinking  so  intently  that  sometimes  he  frowned,  some- 
times he  smiled,  and  more  than  once  he  stood  still  in  a 
brown  study.  All  of  a  sudden  he  said,  half  aloud,  as 
if  he  had  made  up  his  mind,  — 

"  I  might  as  well  begin  at  once,  and  give  the  child 
something  new  to  think  about,  for  Myra's  dismals  and 
Jane's  lectures  have  made  her  as  blue  as  a  little  indigo 
bag." 

Diving  into  one  of  the  trunks  that  stood  in  a  corner, 
he  brought  up,  after  a  brisk  rummage,  a  silken  cushion, 
prettily  embroidered,  and  a  quaint  cup  of  dark  carved 
wood. 

"  This  will  do  for  a  start,"  he  said,  as  he  plumped 
up  the  cushion  and  dusted  the  cup.  "  It  won't  do  to 
begin  too  energetically,  or  Rose  will  be  frightened^     I 


44  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

must  beguile  her  gently  and  pleasantly  along  till  I  've 
won  her  confidence,  and  then  she  will  be  ready  for 
any  thing." 

Just  then  Phebe  came  out  of  the  dining-room  with 
a  plate  of  brown  bread,  for  Rose  had  been  allowed  no 
hot  biscuit  for  tea. 

"  I  '11  relieve  you  of  some  of  that,"  said  Dr.  Alec, 
and,  helping  himself  to  a  generous  slice,  he  retired  to 
the  study,  leaving  Phebe  to  wonder  at  his  appetite. 

She  would  have  wondered  still  more  if  she  had  seen 
him  making  that  brown  bread  into  neat  little  pills, 
which  he  packed  into  an  attractive  ivory  box,  out  of 
which  he  emptied  his  own  bits  of  lovage. 

"  There  !  if  they  insist  on  medicine,  I  '11  order  these, 
and  no  harm  will  be  done.  I  ivill  have  my  own  way, 
but  I'll  keep  the  peace,  if  possible,  and  confess  the 
joke  when  my  experiment  has  succeeded,"  he  said  to 
himself,  looking  very  much  like  a  mischievous  boy,  as 
he  went  off  with  his  innocent  prescriptions. 

Rose  was  playing  softly  on  the  small  organ  that 
stood  in  the  upper  hall,  so  that  Aunt  Peace  could 
enjoy  it;  and  all  the  while  he  talked  with  the  old 
ladies  Uncle  Alec  was  listening  to  the  fitful  music  of 
the  child,  and  thinking  of  another  Rose  who  used  to 
play  for  him. 

As  the  clock  struck  eight,  he  called  out,  — 

"  Time  for  my  girl  to  be  abed,  else  she  won't  be  up 
early,  and  I  'm  full  of  jolly  plans  for  to-morrow.  Come 
and  see  what  I  have  found  for  you  to  begin  upon." 

Rose  ran  in  and  listened  with  bright,  attentive  face, 
while  Dr.  Alec  said,  impressively,  — 

"  In  my  wanderings  over  the  face  of  the  earth,  I 


A  UNTS.  45 

have  picked  up  some  excellent  remedies,  and,  as  they 
are  rather  agreeable  ones,  I  think  you  and  I  will  try 
them.  This  is  an  herb-pillow,  given  to  me  by  a  wise 
old  woman  when  I  was  ill  in  India.  It  is  filled  w4th 
saffron,  poppies,  and  other  soothing  plants  ;  so  lay  your 
little  head  on  it  to-night,  sleep  sweetly  without  a  dream, 
and  wake  to-morrow  without  a  pain." 

"  Shall  I  really  ?  How  nice  it  smells."  And  Rose 
willingly  received  the  pretty  pillow,  and  stood  enjoying 
its  faint,  sweet  odor,  as  she  listened  to  the  doctor's 
next  remedy. 

"  This  is  the  cup  I  told  you  of.  Its  virtue  depends, 
they  say,  on  the  drinker  filling  it  himself  ;  so  you  must 
learn  to  milk.     I  '11  teach  you." 

"  I  'm  afraid  I  never  can,"  said  Rose ;  but  she  sur- 
veyed the  cup  with  favor,  for  a  funny  little  imp  danced 
on  the  handle,  as  if  all  ready  to  take  a  header  into  the 
white  sea  below. 

"Don't  you  think  she  ought  to  have  something 
more  strengthening  than  milk.  Alec  ?  I  really  shall 
feel  anxious  if  she  does  not  have  a  tonic  of  some  sort," 
said  Aunt  Plenty,  eying  the  new  remedies  suspiciously, 
for  she  had  more  faith  in  her  old-fashioned  doses  than 
all  the  magic  cups  and  poppy  pillows  of  the  East. 

"  Well,  ma'am,  I  'm  willing  to  give  her  a  pill,  if  you 
think  best.  It  is  a  very  simple  one,  and  very  large 
quantities  may  be  taken  without  harm.  You  know 
hasheesh  is  the  extract  of  hemp?  Well,  this  is  a 
preparation  of  corn  and  rye,  much  used  in  old  times, 
and  I  hope  it  will  be  again." 

"  Dear  me,  how  singular ! "  said  Aunt  Plenty,  bring- 
ing her  spectacles  to  bear  upon  the  pills,  with  a  face 


46  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

so  full  of  respectful  interest  that  it  was  almost  too 
much  for  Dr.  Alec's  gravity. 

"  Take  one  in  the  morning,  and  a  good-night  to 
you,  my  dear,"  he  said,  dismissing  his  patient  with  a 
hearty  kiss. 

Then,  as  she  vanished,  he  put  both  hands  into  his 
hair,  exclaiming,  with  a  comical  mixture  of  anxiety  and 
amusement,  — 

"  When  I  think  what  I  have  undertaken,  I  declare 
to  you,  aunt,  I  feel  like  running  away  and  not  coming 
back  till  Rose  is  eighteen ! " 


CHAPTER    V. 

A   BELT  AND  A    BOX. 

WHEN"  Rose  came  out  of  her  chamber,  cup  in 
hand,  next  morning,  the  first  person  she  saw 
was  Uncle  Alec  standing  on  the  threshold  of  the  room 
opposite,  which  he  appeared  to  be  examining  with 
care.  When  he  heard  her  step,  he  turned  about  and 
began  to  sing,  — 

"  Where  are  you  going,  my  pretty  maid  ?  " 

"  I  'm  going  a-milking,  sir,  she  said,"  answered  Rose, 
waving  the  cup ;  and  then  they  finished  the  verse  to- 
gether in  fine  style. 

Before  either  sj^oke,  a  head,  in  a  nightcap  so  large 
and  beruffled  that  it  looked  like  a  cabbage,  popped 
out  of  a  room  farther  down  the  hall,  and  an  astonished 
voice  exclaimed,  — 

"  What  in  the  world  are  you  about  so  early  ?  " 

*'  Clearing  our  pipes  for  the  day,  ma'am.  Look  here, 
auntie,  can  I  have  this  room  ?  "  said  Dr.  Alec,  making 
her  a  sailor's  bow. 

"  Any  room  you  like,  except  sister's." 

"  Thanks.  And  may  I  go  rummaging  round  in  the 
garrets  and  glory-holes  to  furnish  it  as  I  like?" 

"My  dear  boy,  you  may  turn  the  house  upside 
down  if  you  will  only  stay  in  it." 


48  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"That's  a  handsome  offer,  I'm  sure.  I'll  stay, 
ma'am ;  here 's  my  little  anchor,  so  you  will  get  more 
than  you  want  of  me  this  time." 

"That's  impossible!  Put  on  your  jacket,  Rose. 
Don't  tire  her  out  with  antics.  Alec.  Yes,  sister, 
I  'm  coming ! "  and  the   cabbage   vanished  suddenly. 

The  first  milking  lesson  was  a  droll  one ;  but  after 
several  scares  and  many  vain  attempts.  Rose  at  last 
managed  to  fill  her  cup,  while  Ben  held  Clover's  tail 
so  that  it  could  not  flap,  and  Dr.  Alec  kept  her  from 
turning  to  stare  at  the  new  milk-maid,  who  objected 
to  both  these  proceedings  very  much. 

"  You  look  chilly  in  spite  of  all  this  laughing. 
Take  a  smart  run  round  the  garden  and  get  up  a 
glow,"  said  the  doctor,  as  they  left  the  barn. 

"  I  'm  too  old  for  running,  uncle ;  Miss  Power  said 
it  was  not  lady-Uke  for  girls  in  their  teens,"  answered 
Rose  primly. 

"  I  take  the  liberty  of  differing  from  Madame 
Prunes  and  Prisms,  and,  as  your  physician,  I  oi^der 
you  to  run.  Off  with  you ! "  said  Uncle  Alec,  with 
a  look  and  a  gesture  that  made  Rose  scurry  away 
as  fast  as  she  could  go. 

Anxious  to  please  him,  she  raced  round  the  beds  till 
she  came  back  to  the  porch  where  he  stood,  and, 
dropping  down  upon  the  steps,  she  sat  panting,  with 
cheeks  as  rosy  as  the  rigolette  on  her  shoulders. 

"  Very  well  done,  child  ;  I  see  you  have  not  lost  the 
use  of  your  limbs  though  you  are  in  your  teens.  That 
belt  is  too  tight ;  unfasten  it,  then  you  can  take  a  long 
breath  without  panting  so." 

"  It  is  n't  tight,  sir ;  I  can  breathe  perfectly  well," 
began  Rose,  trvinsr  to  compose  herself. 


A    BELT  AND    A  BOX.  49 

Her  uncle's  only  answer  was  to  lift  her  up  and 
unhook  the  new  belt  of  which  she  was  so  proud. 
The  moment  the  clasp  was  open  the  belt  flew  apart 
several  inches,  for  it  was  impossible  to  restrain  the 
involuntary  sigh  of  rehef  that  flatly  contradicted  her 
words. 

"Why,  I  didn't  know  it  was  tight!  it  didn't  feel 
so  a  bit.  Of  course  it  would  open  if  I  puff  like  this, 
but  I  never  do,  because  I  hardly  ever  run,"  explained 
Rose,  rather  discomfited  by  this  discovery. 

"  I  see  you  don't  half  fill  your  lungs,  and  so  you 
can  wear  this  absurd  thing  without  feeling  it.  The 
idea  of  cramping  a  tender  little  waist  in  a  stiff  band 
of  leather  and  steel  just  when  it  ought  to  be  growing," 
said  Dr.  Alec,  surveying  the  belt  with  great  disfavor 
as  he  put  the  clasj)  forward  several  holes,  to  Rose's 
secret  dismay,  for  she  was  proud  of  her  slender  figure, 
and  daily  rejoiced  that  she  wasn't  as  stout  as  Luly 
Miller,  a  former  schoolmate,  who  vainly  tried  to  re- 
press her  plumpness. 

"  It  will  fall  off  if  it  is  so  loose,"  she  said  anxiously, 
as  she  stood  watching  him  pull  her  precious  belt 
about. 

"  Not  if  you  keep  taking  long  breaths  to  hold  it  on. 
That  is  what  I  want  you  to  do,  and  when  you  have  filled 
this  out  we  will  go  on  enlarging  it  till  your  waist  is 
more  like  that  of  Hebe,  goddess  of  health,  and  less 
like  that  of  a  fashion-plate,  —  the  ugliest  thing  imagi- 
nable." 

"How  it  does  look!"  and  Rose  gave  a  glance  of 
scorn  at  the  loose  belt  hanging  round  her  trim  little 
waist.     "  It  will  be  lost,  and  then  I  shall  feel  badly. 


50  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

for  it  cost  ever  so  mucli,  and  is  real  steel  and  Russia 
leather.     Just  smell  how  nice." 

"  If  it  is  lost  I  '11  give  you  a  better  one.  A  soft 
silken  sash  is  much  fitter  for  a  pretty  child  like  you 
than  a  plated  harness  like  this ;  and  I  've  got  no  end 
of  Italian  scarfs  and  Turkish  sashes  among  my  traps. 
Ah  !  that  makes  you  feel  better,  does  n't  it  ?  "  and  he 
pinched  the  cheek  that  had  suddenly  dimpled  with  a 
smile. 

"  It  is  very  silly  of  me,  but  I  can't  help  liking  to 
know  that "  —  here  she  stopped  and  blushed  and  held 
down  her  head,  ashamed  to  add,  "you  think  I  am 
pretty." 

Dr.  Alec's  eyes  twinkled,  but  he  said  very  so- 
berly, — 

"Rose,  are  you  vain?" 

"  I  'm  afraid  I  am,"  answered  a  very  meek  voice 
from  behind  the  veil  of  hair  that  hid  the  red  face. 

"  That  is  a  sad  fault."  And  he  sighed  as  if  grieved 
at  the  confession. 

"  I  know  it  is,  and  I  try  not  to  be  ;  but  people  praise 
me,  and  I  can't  help  liking  it,  for  I  really  don't  think 
I  am  repulsive." 

The  last  word  and  the  funny  tone  in  which  it  was 
uttered  were  too  much  for  Dr.  Alec,  and  he  laughed 
in  spite  of  himself,  to  Rose's  great  relief. 

"  I  quite  agree  with  you  ;  and  in  order  that  you 
may  be  still  less  repulsive,  I  Avant  you  to  grow  as  fine 
a  girl  as  Phebe." 

"  Phebe  ! " .  and  Rose  looked  so  amazed  that  her 
uncle  nearly  went  off  again. 

"  Yes,  Phebe  ;  for  she  has  what  you  need,  —  health. 


A    BELT   AND  A    BOX.  51 

If  you  dear  little  girls  would  only  learn  what  real 
beauty  is,  and  not  pinch  and  starve  and  bleach  your- 
selves out  so,  you  'd  save  an  immense  deal  of  time  and 
money  and  pain.  A  happy  soul  in  a  healthy  body 
makes  the  best  sort  of  beauty  for  man  or  woman.  Do 
you  understand  that,  my  dear?" 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Rose,  much  taken  down  by 
this  comparison  with  the  girl  from  the  poor-house. 
It  nettled  her  sadly,  and  she  showed  that  it  did  by 
saying  quickly,— 

"  I  suj^pose  you  would  like  to  have  me  sweep  and 
scrub,  and  wear  an  old  brown  dress,  and  go  round 
with  my  sleeves  rolled  up,  as  Phebe  does  ?  " 

"  I  should  very  much,  if  you  could  work  as  well  as 
she  does,  and  show  as  strong  a  pair  of  arms  as  she 
can.  I  have  n't  seen  a  prettier  picture  for  some  time 
than  she  made  of  herself  this  morning,  up  to  the  elbows 
in  suds,  singing  like  a  blackbird  while  she  scrubbed  on 
the  back  stoop." 

"Well,  I  do  think  you  are  the  queerest  man  that 
ever  lived  ! "  was  all  Rose  could  find  to  say  after  this 
display  of  bad  taste. 

"  I  have  n't  begun  to  show  my  oddities  yet,  so  you 
must  make  up  your  mind  to  worse  shocks  than  this," 
he  said,  with  such  a  whimsical  look  that  she  was  glad 
the  sound  of  a  bell  prevented  her  showing  more  plainly 
what  a  blow  her  little  vanities  had  already  received. 

"  You  will  find  your  box  all  open  up  in  auntie's  parlor, 
and  there  you  can  amuse  her  and  yourself  by  rum- 
maging to  your  heart's  content ;  I  've  got  to  be  cruising 
round  all  the  morning  getting  my  room  to  rights," 
said  Dr.  Alec,  as  they  rose  from  breakfast. 


52  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Can't  I  help  you,  uncle  ?  "  asked  Rose,  quite  burn- 
ing to  be  useful. 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  'm  going  to  borrow  Phebe  for 
a  while,  if  Aunt  Plenty  can  sj^are  her." 

"  Anybody,  —  any  thing,  Alec.  You  will  want  me, 
I  know,  so  I'll  give  orders  about  dinner  and  be  all 
ready  to  lend  a  hand  ;  "  and  the  old  lady  bustled  away 
full  of  interest  and  good-will. 

"  Uncle  will  find  that  I  can  do  some  things  that 
Phebe  can't ;  so  now !  "  thought  Rose,  with  a  toss  of 
the  head  as  she  flew  to  Aunt  Peace  and  the  long- 
desired  box. 

Every  little  girl  can  easily  imagine  what  an  extra 
good  time  she  had  diving  into  a  sea  of  treasures  and 
fishing  up  one  pretty  thing  after  another,  till  the  air 
was  full  of  the  mingled  odors  of  musk  and  sandal-wood, 
the  room  gay  with  bright  colors,  and  Rose  in  a  rapture 
of  delight.  She  began  to  forgive  Dr.  Alec  for  the 
oatmeal  diet  when  she  saw  a  lovely  ivory  work-box ; 
became  resigned  to  the  state  of  her  belt  when  she 
found  a  pile  of  rainbow-colored  sashes  ;  and  when  she 
came  to  some  distractingly  pretty  bottles  of  attar  of 
rose,  she  felt  that  they  almost  atoned  for  the  great 
sin  of  thinking  Phebe  the  finer  girl  of  the  two. 

Dr.  Alec  meanwhile  had  apparently  taken  Aunt 
Plenty  at  her  word,  and  was  turning  the  house  upside 
down.  A  general  revolution  was  evidently  going  on 
in  the  green-room,  for  the  dark  damask  curtains  were 
seen  bundling  away  in  Phebe's  arms ;  the  air-tight 
stove  retiring  to  the  cellar  on  Ben's  shoulder ;  and  the 
great  bedstead  going  up  garret  in  a  fragmentary  state, 
escorted  by  three  bearers.    Aunt  Plenty  was  constantly 


A    BELT   AND    A    BOX.  63 

on  the  trot  among  her  store-rooms,  camphor-chests, 
and  linen-closets,  looking  as  if  the  new  order  of  things 
both  amazed  and  amused  her. 

Half  the  peculiar  performances  of  Dr.  Alec  cannot 
be  revealed ;  but  as  Rose  glanced  up  from  her  box 
now  and  then  she  caught  glimpses  of  him  striding  by, 
bearing  a  bamboo  chair,  a  pair  of  ancient  andirons,  a 
queer  Japanese  screen,  a  rug  or  two,  and  finally  a  large 
bathing-pan  upon  his  head. 

"  What  a  curious  room  it  will  be,"  she  said,  as  she 
sat  resting  and  refreshing  herself  with  "Lumps  of 
Delight,"  all  the  way  from  Cairo. 

"I  fancy  you  will  like  it,  deary,"  answered  Aunt 
Peace,  looking  up  with  a  smile  from  some  pretty  trifle 
she  was  making  with  blue  silk  and  white  muslin. 

Rose  did  not  see  the  smile,  for  just  at  that  moment 
her  uncle  paused  at  the  door,  and  she  sprang  up  to 
dance  before  him,  saying,  with  a  face  full  of  childish 
happiness,  — 

"  Look  at  me !  look  at  me !  I  'm  so  splendid  I  don't 
know  myself.  I  haven't  put  these  things  on  right,  I 
dare  say,  but  I  do  like  them  so  much ! " 

"  You  look  as  gay  as  a  parrot  in  your  fez  and  cabaja, 
and  it  does  my  heart  good  to  see  the  little  black 
shadow  turned  into  a  rainbow,"  said  Uncle  Alec, 
surveying  the  bright  figure  before  him  with  great 
approbation. 

He  did  not  say  it,  but  he  thought  she  made  a  much 
prettier  picture  than  Phebe  at  the  wash-tub,  for  she 
had  stuck  a  purple  fez  on  her  blonde  head,  tied  several 
brilliant  scarfs  about  her  waist,  and  put  on  a  truly 
gorgeous  scarlet  jacket  with  a  golden  sun  embroidered 


54  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

on  the  back,  a  silver  moon  on  the  front,  and  stars  of 
all  sizes  on  the  sleeves.  A  pair  of  Turkish  shppers 
adorned  her  feet,  and  necklaces  of  amber,  coral,  and 
filigree  hmig  about  her  neck,  while  one  hand  held  a 
smelling-bottle,  and  the  other  the  spicy  box  of  oriental 
sweetmeats. 

"  I  feel  like  a  girl  in  the  '  Arabian  Nights,'  and  ex- 
pect to  find  a  magic  carj^et  or  a  wonderful  talisman 
somewhere.  Only  I  don't  see  how  I  ever  can  thank 
you  for  all  these  lovely  things,"  she  said,  stopping  her 
dance,  as  if  suddenly  oppressed  with  gratitude. 

"  I  '11  tell  you  how,  —  by  leaving  off  the  black  clothes, 
that  never  should  have  been  kept  so  long  on  such  a 
child,  and  wearing  the  gay  ones  I  've  brought.  It  will 
do  your  spirits  good,  and  cheer  up  this  sober  old 
house.     Won't  it,  auntie?" 

"I  think  you  are  right.  Alec,  and  it  is  fortunate 
that  we  have  not  begun  on  her  spring  clothes  yet, 
for  Myra  thought  she  ought  not  to  wear  any  thing 
brighter  than  violet,  and  she  is  too  j^ale  for  that." 

"  You  just  let  me  direct  Miss  Hemming  how  to 
make  some  of  these  things.  You  will  be  surprised  to 
see  how  much  I  knoAV  about  piping  hems  and  gathering 
arm-holes  and  shirring  biases,"  began  Dr.  Alec,  pat- 
ting a  pile  of  muslin,  cloth,  and  silk  with  a  knowing 
air. 

Aunt  Peace  and  Rose  laughed  so  that  he  could  not 
display  his  knowledge  any  farther  till  they  stoj^ped, 
when  he  said  good-naturedly,  — 

"  That  will  go  a  great  way  toward  filling  out  the 
belt,  so  laugh  away,  Morgiana,  and  I  '11  go  back  to  my 
work,  or  I  never  shall  be  done." 


A    BELT   AND    A    BOX.  55 

"  I  could  n't  help  it,  '  shirred  biases '  were  so  very- 
funny  ! "  Rose  said,  as  she  turned  to  her  box  after  the 
splendid  laugh.  "But  really,  auntie,"  she  added  so- 
berly, "  I  feel  as  if  I  ought  not  to  have  so  many  nice 
things.  I  suppose  it  would  n't  do  to  give  Phebe  some 
of  them  ?     Uncle  might  not  like  it." 

"  He  would  not  mind  ;  but  they  are  not  suitable  for 
Phebe.  Some  of  the  dresses  you  are  done  with  would 
be  more  useful,  if  they  can  be  made  over  to  fit  her," 
answered  Aunt  Peace  in  the  prudent,  moderate  tone 
which  is  so  trying  to  our  feelings  when  we  indulge  in 
little  fits  of  charitable  enthusiasm. 

"  I  'd  rather  give  her  new  ones,  for  I  think  she  is  a 
little  bit  proud  and  might  not  like  old  things.  If  she 
was  my  sister  it  would  do,  because  sisters  don't  mind, 
but  she  is  n't,  and  that  makes  it  bad,  you  see.  I  know 
how  I  can  manage  beautifully ;  I  '11  adopt  her ! "  and 
Rose  looked  quite  radiant  with  this  new  idea. 

"  I  'm  afraid  you  could  not  do  it  legally  till  you  are 
older,  but  you  might  see  if  she  likes  the  j^lan,  and  at 
any  rate  you  can  be  very  kind  to  her,  for  in  one  sense 
we  are  all  sisters,  and  should  help  one  another." 

The  sweet  old  face  looked  at  her  so  kindly  that 
Rose  was  fired  with  a  desire  to  settle  the  matter  at 
once,  and  rushed  away  to  the  kitchen  just  as  she  was. 
Phebe  was  there,  polishing  up  the  antique  andirons  so 
busily  that  she  started  when  a  voice  cried  out :  "  Smell 
that,  taste  this,  and  look  at  me !  " 

Phebe  sniffed  attar  of  rose,  crunched  the  "  Lump  of 
Delight "  tucked  into  her  mouth,  and  stared  with  all 
her  eyes  at  little  Morgiana  prancing  about  the  room 
like  a  brilliant  paroquet. 


5Q 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


"My  stars,  ain't  you  sj^lendid ! "  was  all  she  could 
say,  holding  up  two  dusty  hands. 


Rose  and  Phebe. 


"  I  Ve  got  heaps  of  lovely  things  upstairs,  and  I  '11 
show  them  all  to  you,  and  I  'd  go  halves,  only  auntie 
thinks  they  would  n't  be  useful,  so  I  shall  give  you 


A    BELT   AND   A    BOX.  57 

something  else;  and  you  won't  mind,  will  you?  be- 
cause I  want  to  adojot  you  as  Arabella  was  in  the 
story.     Won't  that  be  nice?" 

"  Why,  Miss  Rose,  have  you  lost  your  wits  ?  " 

No  wonder  Phebe  asked,  for  Rose  talked  very  fast, 
and  looked  so  odd  in  her  new  costume,  and  was  so 
eager  she  could  not  stoj)  to  explain.  Seeing  Phebe's 
bewilderment,  she  quieted  down  and  said,  with  a 
pretty  air  of  earnestness, — 

"  It  is  n't  fair  that  I  should  have  so  much  and  you 
so  little,  and  I  want  to  be  as  good  to  you  as  if 
you  were  my  sister,  for  Aunt  Peace  says  we  are  all 
sisters  really.  I  thought  if  I  adopted  you  as  much 
as  I  can  now,  it  would  be  nicer.  Will  you  let  me, 
please?" 

To  Rose's  gi-eat  surprise,  Phebe  sat  down  on  the 
floor  and  hid  her  face  in  her  apron  for  a  minute  with- 
out answering  a  word. 

"Oh  dear,  now  she's  offended,  and  I  don't  know 
what  to  do,"  thought  Rose,  much  discouraged  by  this 
reception  of  her  offer. 

"  Please,  forgive  me ;  I  did  n't  mean  to  hurt  your 
feelings,  and  hope  you  won't  think  — "  she  faltered 
presently,  feeling  that  she  must  undo  the  mischief 
if  possible. 

But  Phebe  gave  her  another  surprise,  by  dropping 
the  apron  and  showing  a  face  all  smiles,  in  spite  of 
tears  in  the  eyes,  as  she  put  both  arms  round  Rose 
and  said,  with  a  laugh  and  sob,  — 

"  I  think  you  are  the  dearest  girl  in  the  world,  and 
I'll  let  you  do  any  thing  you  like  with  me." 

"  Then  you  do  like  the  plan  ?    You  did  n't  cry  be- 


68  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

cause  I  seemed  to  be  kind  of  patronizing?  I  truly 
did  n't  mean  to  be,"  cried  Rose,  delighted. 

"  I  guess  I  do  like  it !  and  cried  because  no  one  was 
ever  so  good  to  me  before,  and  I  couldn't  help  it. 
As  for  patronizing,  you  may  walk  on  me  if  you  want 
to,  and  I  won't  mind,"  said  Phebe,  in  a  burst  of  grati- 
tude, for  the  words,  "  we  are  all  sisters,"  went  straight 
to  her  lonely  heart  and  nestled  there. 

"  Well,  now,  we  can  play  I  'm  a  good  sprite  out  of 
the  box,  or,  what  is  better,  a  fairy  godmother  comt 
down  the  chimney,  and  you  are  Cinderella,  and  must 
gay  what  you  want,"  said  Rose,  trying  to  put  the 
question  delicately. 

Phebe  understood  that,  for  she  had  a  good  deal  of 
natural  refinement,  though  she  did  come  from  the 
poor-house. 

"I  don't  feel  as  if  I  wanted  any  thing  now.  Miss 
Rose,  but  to  find  some  way  of  thanking  you  for  all 
you've  done,"  she  said,  rubbing  off  a  tear  that  went 
rolling  down  the  bridge  of  her  nose  in  the  most  un- 
romantic  way. 

"  Why,  I  have  n't  done  any  thing  but  given  you 
a  bit  of  candy !  Here,  have  some  more,  and  eat  'em 
while  you  work,  and  think  what  I  can  do.  I  must 
go  and  clear  up,  so  good-by,  and  don't  forget  I've 
adopted  you." 

"  You  've  given  me  sweeter  things  than  candy,  and 
I  'm  not  likely  to  forget  it."  And  carefully  wiping 
off  the  brick-dust,  Phebe  pressed  the  little  hand  Rose 
offered  warmly  in  both  her  hard  ones,  while  the  black 
eyes  followed  the  departing  visitor  with  a  grateful 
look  that  made  them  very  soft  and  bright. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

UNCLE   ALECS  ROOM, 

SOON  after  dinner,  and  before  she  had  got  ac- 
quainted with  half  her  new  possessions,  Dr.  Alec 
proposed  a  drive,  to  carry  round  the  first  instalment 
of  gifts  to  the  aunts  and  cousins.  Rose  was  quite 
ready  to  go,  being  anxious  to  try  a  certain  soft  bur- 
nous from  the  box,  which  not  only  possessed  a  most 
engaging  little  hood,  but  had  funny  tassels  bobbing 
in  all  directions. 

The  big  carriage  was  full  of  parcels,  and  even  Ben's 
seat  was  loaded  with  Indian  war-clubs,  a  Chinese  kite 
of  immense  size,  and  a  jDair  of  polished  ox-horns  from 
Africa.  Uncle  Alec,  very  blue  as  to  his  clothes,  and 
very  brown  as  to  his  face,  sat  bolt  upright,  surveying 
well-known  places  with  interest,  while  Rose,  feeling 
unusually  elegant  and  comfortable,  leaned  back  folded 
in  her  soft  mantle,  and  played  she  was  an  Eastern 
princess  making  a  royal  progress  among  her  subjects. 

At  three  of  the  places  their  calls  were  brief,  for 
Aunt  Myra's  catarrh  was  unusually  bad ;  Aunt  Clara 
had  a  room  full  of  company ;  and  Aunt  Jane  showed 
such  a  tendency  to  discuss  the  population,  productions, 
and  politics  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  that  even 


60  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Dr.  Alec  was  dismayed,  and  got  away  as  soon  as 
possible. 

"  Now  we  will  have  a  good  time !  I  do  hope  the 
boys  will  be  at  home,"  said  Rose,  with  a  sigh  of  relief, 
as  they  wound  yet  higher  up  the  hill  to  Aunt  Jessie's. 

"I  left  this  for  the  last  call,  so  that  we  might  find 
the  lads  just  in  from  school.  Yes,  there  is  Jamie  on 
the  gate  watching  for  us ;  now  you  '11  see  the  Clan 
gather;  they  are  always  swarming  about  together." 

The  instant  Jamie  saw  the  approaching  guests  he 
gave  a  shrill  whistle,  which  was  answered  by  echoes 
from  meadow,  house,  and  barn,  as  the  cousins  came 
running  from  all  directions,  shouting,  "Hooray  for 
Uncle  Alec!"  They  went  at  the  carriage  hke  high, 
waymen,  robbed  it  of  every  parcel,  took  the  occupants 
prisoners,  and  marched  them  into  the  house  with  great 
exultation. 

"  Little  Mum !  little  Mum !  here  they  are  with  lots 
of  goodies !  Come  down  and  see  the  fun  right  away ! 
quick!"  bawled  Will  and  Geordie  amidst  a  general 
ripping  off  of  papers  and  a  reckless  cutting  of  strings 
that  soon  turned  the  tidy  room  into  a  chaos. 

Down  came  Aunt  Jessie  with  her  pretty  cap  half  on, 
but  such  a  beaming  face  below  it  that  one  rather 
thought  the  fly-away  head-gear  an  improvem^g;  than 
otherwise.  She  had  hardly  time  to  greet  iSse  and 
the  doctor  before  the  boys  were  about  her,  each 
clamoring  for  her  to  see  his  gift  and  rejoice  over  it 
with  him,  for  "little  Mum"  went  halves  in  every 
thing.  The  great  horns  skirmished  about  her  as  if  to 
toss  her  to  the  ceiling ;  the  Avar-clubs  hurtled  over  her 
head  as  if  to  annihilate  her ;  an  amazing  medley  from 


UNCLE    ALECS    ROOM.  61 

the  four  quarters  of  the  globe  filled  her  lap,  and  seven 
excited  boys  all  talked  to  her  at  once. 

But  she  liked  it ;  oh  dear,  yes !  and  sat  smiling, 
admiring,  and  explaining,  quite  untroubled  by  the 
din,  which  made  Rose  cover  up  her  ears  and  Dr.  Alec 
threaten  instant  flight  if  the  riot  was  not  quelled. 
That  threat  produced  a  lull,  and  while  the  uncle  re- 
ceived thanks  in  one  corner,  the  aunt  had  some  little 
confidences  made  to  her  in  the  other. 

"Well,  dear,  and  how  are  things  going  with  you 
now?     Better,  I  hope,  than  they  were  a  w^eek  ago." 

"  Aunt  Jessie,  I  think  I  'm  going  to  be  very  happy, 
now  uncle  has  come.  He  does  the  queerest  things, 
but  he  is  so  good  to  me  I  can't  helj)  loving  him;" 
and,  nestling  closer  to  little  Mum,  Rose  told  all  that 
had  happened,  ending  with  a  rapturous  account  of 
the  splendid  box. 

"  I  am  very  glad,  dear.  But,  Rose,  I  must  warn  you 
of  one  thing ;  don't  let  uncle  spoil  you." 

"  But  I  like  to  be  spoilt,  auntie." 

"  I  don't  doubt  it ;  but  if  you  turn  out  badly  when 
the  year  is  over  he  will  be  blamed,  and  his  experiment 
prove  a  failure.  That  would  be  a  pity,  wouldn't  it? 
when  he  wants  to  do  so  much  for  you,  and  can  do  it 
if  his  kind  heart  does  not  get  in  the  way  of  his  good 
judgmfent." 

"I  never  thought  of  that,  and  I'll  try  not  to  be 
spoilt.  But  how  can  I  help  it?"  asked  Rose  anx- 
iously. 

"  By  not  complaining  of  the  wholesome  things  he 
wants  you  to  do ;  by  giving  him  cheerful  obedience 
as  well  as  love ;  and  even  making  some  small  sac- 
rifices for  his  sake." 


62  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"I  will,  I  truly  will!  and  when  I  get  in  a  worry 
about  things  may  I  come  to  you?  Uncle  told  me 
to,  and  I  feel  as  if  I  should  n't  be  afraid." 

"You  may,  darling;  this  is  the  i^lace  where  little 
troubles  are  best  cured,  and  this  is  what  mothers  are 
for,  I  fancy ; "  and  Aunt  Jessie  drew  the  curly  head 
to  her  shoulder  with  a  tender  look  that  j^roved  how 
well  she  knew  what  medicine  the  child  most  needed. 

It  was  so  sweet  and  comfortable  that  Rose  sat  still 
enjoying  it  till  a  little  voice  said,  — 

"Mamma,  don't  you  think  Pokey  would  like  some 
of  my  shells?  Rose  gave  Phebe  some  of  her  nice 
things,  and  it  was  very  good  of  her.     Can  I?" 

"  Who  is  Pokey  ? "  asked  Rose,  popjnng  up  her 
head,  attracted  by  the  odd  name. 

"  My  dolly ;  do  you  want  to  see  her  ?  "  asked  Jamie, 
who  had  been  much  impressed  by  the  tale  of  adoption 
he  had  overheard. 

"  Yes ;  I  'm  fond  of  dollies,  only  don't  tell  the  boys, 
or  they  will  laugh  at  me." 

"  They  don't  laugh  at  me,  and  they  play  Avith  my 
dolly  a  great  deal ;  but  she  likes  me  best ; "  and  Jamie 
ran  away  to  produce  his  pet. 

"  I  brought  my  old  doll,  but  I  keep  her  hidden  be- 
cause I  am  too  big  to  play  with  her,  and  yet  I  can't 
bear  to  throw  her  away,  I'm  so  fond  of  her,"  said 
Rose,  continuing  her  confidences  in  a  whisper. 

"  You  can  come  and  play  with  Jamie's  whenever 
you  like,  for  we  believe  in  dollies  up  here,"  began 
Aunt  Jessie,  smiling  to  herself  as  if  something  amused 
her. 

Just  then  Jamie  came  back,  and  Rose  understood 


UNCLE   ALEC'S    ROOM. 


63 


the  smile,  for  his  dolly  proved  to  be  a  pretty  four- 
year-old  little  girl,  who  trotted  in  as  fast  as  her  fat 
legs  would  carry  her,  and,  making  straight  for  the 
shells,  scrambled  up  an  armful,  saying,  with  a  laugh 
that  showed  her  little  white  teeth,  — 

"  All  for  Dimmy  and  me,  for  Dinuny  and  me ! " 


JAMIE  AND  HIS  DOLLY. 


"  That 's  my  dolly ;  is  n't  she  a  nice  one  ? "  asked 
Jamie,  proudly  surveying  his  pet  with  his  hands  behind 
him  and  his  short  legs  rather  far  apart,  —  a  manly  at- 
titude copied  from  his  brothers. 

"  She  is  a  dear  dolly.  But  why  call  her  Pokey  ? " 
asked  Rose,  charmed  with  the  new  plaything. 

"  She  is  such  an  inquisitive  little  body  she  is  always 
poking  that  mite  of  a  nose  into  every  thing ;  and  as 


64  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Paul  Pry  did  not  suit,  the  boys  fell  to  calling  her 
Pokey.     Not  a  pretty  name,  but  very  expressive." 

It  certainly  was,  for,  having  examined  the  shells, 
the  busy  tot  laid  hold  of  every  thing  she  could  find,  and 
continued  her  researches  till  Archie  caught  her  suck- 
ing his  carved  ivory  chessmen  to  see  if  they  were  not 
barley-sugar.  Rice-j^aper  pictures  were  also  discov- 
ered crumpled  up  in  her  tiny  pocket,  and  she  nearly 
smashed  Will's  ostrich  Q^g  by  trying  to  sit  upon  it. 

"  Here,  Jim,  take  her  away ;  she  's  worse  than  the 
puppies,  and  we  can't  have  her  round,"  commanded 
the  elder  brother,  jDicking  her  up  and  handing  her  over 
to  the  little  fellow,  who  received  her  with  oj^en  arms 
and  the  warning  remark,  — 

"  You  'd  better  mind  what  you  do,  for  I  'm  going  to 
'dopt  Pokey  like  Rose  did  Phebe,  and  then  you'll 
have  to  be  very  good  to  her,  you  big  fellows." 

'"Dopt  away,  baby,  and  I'll  give  you  a  cage  to 
keep  her  in,  or  you  won't  have  her  long,  for  she  is  get- 
ting worse  than  a  monkey ;"  and  Archie  went  back  to 
his  mates,  while  Aunt  Jessie,  foreseeing  a  crisis,  pro- 
posed that  Jamie  should  take  his  dolly  home,  as  she 
was  borrowed,  and  it  was  time  her  visit  ended. 

"  3fy  dolly  is  better  than  yours,  is  n't  she  ?  'cause 
she  can  walk  and  talk  and  sing  and  dance,  and  yours 
can't  do  any  thing,  can  she  ?  "  asked  Jamie  with  pride, 
as  he  regarded  his  Pokey,  who  just  then  had  been 
moved  to  execute  a  funny  little  jig  and  warble  the 
well-known  couplet,  — 

"  '  Puss-tat,  puss-tat,  where  you  been  ? ' 
'  I  been  Lunnin,  to  saw  a  Tween.'  " 

After  which  superb  display  she  retired,  escorted  by 


UNCLE    ALECS    ROOM,  Q^ 

Jamie,  both  making  a  fearful  din  blowing  on  conch 
shells. 

"We  must  tear  ourselves  away,  Rose,  because  I 
want  to  get  you  home  before  sunset.  Will  you  come 
for  a  drive,  Jessie  ?  "  said  Dr.  Alec,  as  the  music  died 
away  in  the  distance. 

"  No,  thank  you  ;  but  I  see  the  boys  want  a  scam- 
per, so,  if  you  don't  mind,  they  may  escort  you  home, 
but  not  go  in.     That  is  only  allowed  on  holidays." 

The  words  were  hardly  out  of  Aunt  Jessie's  mouth 
when  Archie  said,  in  a  tone  of  command,  — 

"Pass  the  word,  lads.  Boot  and  saddle,  and  be 
quick  about  it." 

"  All  rio-ht ! "  And  in  a  moment  not  a  vestiere  of 
boy  remained  but  the  litter  on  the  floor. 

The  cavalcade  went  down  the  hill  at  a  pace  that 
made  Rose  cling  to  her  uncle's  arm,  for  the  fat  old 
horses  got  excited  by  the  antics  of  the  ponies  careering 
all  about  them,  and  Avent  as  fast  as  they  could  pelt, 
with  the  gay  dog-cart  rattling  in  front,  for  Archie  and 
Charlie  scorned  shelties  since  this  magnificent  equi- 
page had  been  set  up.  Ben  enjoyed  the  fun,  and  the 
lads  cut  up  capers  till  Rose  declared  that  "  circus " 
was  the  proper  name  for  them  after  all. 

When  they  reached  the  house  they  dismounted,  and 
stood,  three  on  each  side  the  steps,  in  martial  attitudes, 
while  her  ladyship  was  handed  out  with  great  elegance 
by  Uncle  Alec.  Then  the  clan  saluted,  mounted  at 
word  of  command,  and  with  a  wild  whoop  tore  down 
the  avenue  in  what  they  considered  the  true  Arab 
style. 

"  That  was  splendid,  now  it  is  safely  ended,"  said 


66  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

Rose,  skipping  up  the  steps  with  her  head  over  her 
shoulder  to  watch  the  dear  tassels  bob  about. 

"  I  shall  get  you  a  pony  as  soon  as  you  are  a  little 
stronger,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  watching  her  with  a  smile. 

"  Oh,  I  could  n't  ride  one  of  those  horrid,  frisky 
little  beasts !  They  roll  their  eyes  and  bounce  about 
so,  I  should  die  of  fright,"  cried  Rose,  clasping  her 
hands  tragically. 

"  Are  you  a  coward  ?  " 

"  About  horses  I  am." 

"  Never  mind,  then ;  come  and  see  my  new  room ; " 
and  he  led  the  way  upstairs  without  another  word. 

As  Rose  followed  she  remembered  her  promise  to 
Aunt  Jessie,  and  was  sorry  she  had  objected  so  decid- 
edly. She  was  a  great  deal  more  sorry  five  minutes 
later,  and  well  she  might  be. 

"  Now  take  a  good  look,  and  tell  me  what  you  think 
of  it,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  opening  the  door  and  letting  her 
enter  before  him,  while  Phebe  was  seen  whisking  down 
the  backstairs  with  a  dust-pan. 

Rose  walked  to  the  middle  of  the  room,  stood  still, 
and  gazed  about  her  with  eyes  that  brightened  as  they 
looked,  for  all  was  changed. 

This  chamber  had  been  built  out  over  the  library  to 
suit  some  fancy,  and  had  been  unused  for  years,  except 
at  Christmas  times,  when  the  old  house  overflowed. 
It  had  three  windows,  —  one  to  the  east,  that  over- 
looked the  bay ;  one  to  the  south,  where  the  horse- 
chestnuts  waved  their  green  fans  ;  and  one  to  the  west, 
toward  the  hills  and  the  evening  sky.  A  ruddy  sunset 
burned  there  now,  filling  the  room  with  an  enchanted 
glow ;   the  soft  murmur  of  the  sea  was  heard,  and 


UNCLE    ALEC'S    ROOM.  67 

a  robin  chirped  "  Good  night ! "  among  the  budding 
trees. 

Rose  saw  and  heard  these  things  first,  and  felt  their 
beauty  with  a  child's  quick  instinct ;  then  her  eye  took 
in  the  altered  aspect  of  the  room,  once  so  shrouded, 
still  and  solitary,  now  so  full  of  light  and  warmth  and 
simple  luxury. 

India  matting  covered  the  floor,  with  a  gay  rug  here 
and  there ;  the  antique  andirons  shone  on  the  wide 
hearth,  where  a  cheery  blaze  dispelled  the  dampness 
of  the  long-closed  room.  Bamboo  lounges  and  chairs 
stood  about,  and  quaint  little  tables  in  cosey  corners ; 
one  bearing  a  pretty  basket,  one  a  desk,  and  on  a  third 
lay  several  familiar-looking  books.  In  a  recess  stood 
a  narrow  white  bed,  with  a  lovely  Madonna  hanging 
over  it.  The  Japanese  screen  half  folded  back  showed 
a  delicate  toilet-service  of  blue  and  white  set  forth  on 
a  marble  slab,  and  near  by  was  the  great  bath-pan, 
with  Turkish  towels  and  a  sponge  as  big  as  Rose's 
head. 

"Uncle  must  love  cold  water  like  a  duck,"  she 
thought,  with  a  shiver. 

Then  her  eye  went  on  to  the  tall  cabinet,  where 
a  half-open  door  revealed  a  tempting  array  of  the 
drawers,  shelves,  and  "  cubby  holes,"  which  so  delight 
the  hearts  of  children. 

"What  a  grand  place  for  my  new  things,"  she 
thought,  wondering  what  her  uncle  kept  in  that  cedar 
retreat. 

"  Oh  me,  what  a  sweet  toilet-table ! "  was  her  next 
mental  exclamation,  as  she  approached  this  inviting 
spot. 


68  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

A  round  old-fashioned  mirror  hung  over  it,  with  a 
gilt  eagle  a-top,  holding  in  his  beak  the  knot  of  blue 
ribbon  that  tied  up  a  curtain  of  muslin  falling  on  either 
side  of  the  table,  where  appeared  little  ivory-handled 
brushes,  two  slender  silver  candlesticks,  a  porcelain 
match-box,  several  pretty  trays  for  small  matters,  and, 
most  imposing  of  all,  a  plump  blue  silk  cushion,  coquet- 
tishly  trimmed  with  lace,  and  pink  rose-buds  at  the 
corners. 

That  cushion  rather  astonished  Rose;  in  fact,  the 
whole  table  did,  and  she  was  just  thinking,  witli^a  sly 
smile,  — 

"  Uncle  is  a  dandy,  but  I  never  should  have  guessed 
it,"  when  he  opened  the  door  of  a  large  closet,  saying, 
with  a  careless  wave  of  the  hand,  — 

"  Men  like  plenty  of  room  for  their  rattle-traps ; 
don't  you  think  that  ought  to  satisfy  me?" 

Rose  peeped  in  and  gave  a  start,  though  all  she  saw 
was  what  one  usually  finds  in  closets,  —  clothes  and 
boots,  boxes  and  bags.  Ah  !  but  you  see  these  clothes 
were  small  black  and  white  frocks ;  the  row  of  little 
boots  that  stood  below  had  never  been  on  Dr.  Alec's 
feet ;  the  green  bandbox  had  a  gray  veil  straying  out 
of  it,  and,  —  yes !  the  bag  hanging  on  the  door  was 
certainly  her  own  piece-bag,  with  a  hole  in  one  corner. 
She  gave  a  quick  look  round  the  room  and  understood 
now  why  it  had  seemed  too  dainty  for  a  man,  why  her 
Testament  and  Prayer-book  were  on  the  table  by  the 
bed,  and  what  those  rose-buds  meant  on  the  blue 
cushion.  It  came  upon  her  in  one  delicious  burst  that 
this  little  paradise  was  all  for  her,  and,  not  knowing 
how  else  to  express  her  gratitude,  she  caught  Dr.  Aleo 
round  the  neck,  saying  impetuously,  — 


UNCLE   ALECS    ROOM.  69 

*'  O  uncle,  you  are  too  good  to  me !  I  '11  do  any- 
thing you  ask  me ;  ride  wild  horses  and  take  freezing 
baths  and  eat  bad-tasting  messes,  and  let  my  clothes 
hang  on  me,  to  show  how  much  I  thank  you  for  this 
dear,  sweet,  lovely  room !  " 

"You  like  it,  then?  But  why  do  you  think  it  is 
yours,  my  lass  ?  "  asked  Dr.  Alec,  as  he  sat  down  look- 
ing well  pleased,  and  drew  his  excited  little  niece  to 
his  knee. 

"  I- don't  think.)  I  knoin  it  is  for  me  ;  I  see  it  in  your 
f ace,'^nd  I  feel  as  if  I  did  n't  half  deserve  it.  Aunt 
Jessie  said  you  would  spoil  me,  and  I  must  not  let  you. 
I  'm  afraid  this  looks  like  it,  and  perhaps,  —  oh  me  !  — 
perhaps  I  ought  not  to  have  this  beautiful  room  after 
all ! "  and  Rose  tried  to  look  as  if  she  could  be  heroic 
enough  to  give  it  up  if  it  was  best. 

"I  owe  Mrs.  Jessie  one  for  that,"  said  Dr.  Alec, 
trying  to  frown,  though  in  his  secret  soul  he  felt  that 
she  was  quite  right.  Then  he  smiled  that  cordial 
smile,  which  was  like  sunshine  on  his  brown  face,  as 
he  said, — 

"  This  is  part  of  the  cure,  Rose,  and  I  put  you  here 
that  you  might  take  my  three  great  remedies  in  the 
best  and  easiest  way.  Plenty  of  sun,  fresh  air,  and 
cold  water ;  also  cheerful  surroundings  and  some  work ; 
for  Phebe  is  to  show  you  how  to  take  care  of  this 
room,  and  be  your  little  maid  as  well  as  friend  and 
teacher.  Does  that  sound  hard  and  disagreeable  to 
you,  dear?" 

"  No,  sir ;  very,  very  pleasant,  and  I  '11  do  my  best 
to  be  a  spod  patient.  But  I  really  don't  think  any 
one  could  \)Q  sick  in  this  delightful  room,"  she  said, 


70  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

with  a  long  sigh  of  happiness  as  her  eye  went  from  one 
pleasant  object  to  another. 

"Then  you  like  my  sort  of  medicine  better  than 
Aunt  Myra's,  and  don't  want  to  throw  it  out  of  the 
window,  hey?" 


CHAPTER    VII. 

A     TRIP     TO     CHINA. 

"  /'^OME,  little  girl,  I  've  got  another  dose  for  you. 
^-^  I  fancy  you  won't  take  it  as  well  as  you  did 
the  last,  but  you  will  like  it  better  after  a  while,"  said 
Dr.  Alec,  about  a  week  after  the  grand  surprise. 

Rose  was  sitting  in  her  pretty  room,  where  she 
would  gladly  have  spent  all  her  time  if  it  had  been 
allowed ;  but  she  looked  up  with  a  smile,  for  she  had 
ceased  to  fear  her  uncle's  remedies,  and  was  always 
ready  to  try  a  new  one.  The  last  had  been  a  set 
of  light  gardening  tools,  with  which  she  had  helped 
him  put  the  flower-beds  in  order,  learning  all  sorts 
of  new  and  pleasant  things  about  the  plants  as  she 
worked,  for,  though  she  had  studied  botany  at  school, 
it  seemed  very  dry  stuff  compared  with  Uncle  Alec's 
lively  lesson. 

"  What  is  it  now  ? "  she  asked,  shutting  her  work- 
box  without  a  murmur. 

"  Salt-water." 

"  How  must  I  take  it  ?  "  ' 

"Put  on  the  new  suit  Miss  Hemming  sent  home 
yesterday,  and  come  down  to  the  beach;  then  I'll 
show  you." 


72  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Rose  obediently,  adding  to 
herself,  with  a  shiver,  as  he  went  off :  "  It  is  too  early 
for  bathing,  so  I  know  it  is  something  to  do  with  a 
dreadful  boat." 

Putting  on  the  new  suit  of  blue  flannel,  prettily 
trimmed  with  white,  and  the  little  sailor-hat  with 
long  streamers,  diverted  her  mind  from  the  approach- 
ing trial,  till  a  shrill  whistle  reminded  her  that  her 
uncle  was  waiting.  Away  she  ran  through  the  gar- 
den, down  the  sandy  path,  out  upon  the  strip  of  beach 
that  belonged  to  the  house,  and  here  she  found  Dr. 
Alec  busy  with  a  slender  red  and  white  boat  that  lay 
rocking  on  the  rising  tide. 

"That  is  a  dear  little  boat;  and  'Bonnie  Belle'  is 
a  pretty  name,"  she  said,  trying  not  to  show  how 
nervous  she  felt. 

"  It  is  for  you  ;  so  sit  in  the  stern  and  learn  to 
steer,  till  you  are  ready  to  learn  to  row." 

"Do  all  boats  wiggle  about  in  that  way?"  she 
asked,  lingering  as  if  to  tie  her  hat  more  firmly. 

"Oh,  yes,  pitch  about  like  nut-shells  when  the  sea 
is  a  bit  rough,"  answered  her  sailor  uncle,  never 
guessing  her  secret  woe. 

"Is  it  rough  to-day?" 

"  Not  very ;  it  looks  a  trifle  squally  to  the  eastward, 
but  we  are  all  right  till  the  wind  changes.     Come." 

"  Can  you  swim,  uncle  ?  "  asked  Rose,  clutching  at 
his  arm  as  he  took  her  hand. 

"  Like  a  fish.      Now  then." 

"  Oh,  please  hold  me  very  tight  till  I  get  there ! 
Why  do  you  have  the  stern  so  far  away?"  and, 
stifling  several  squeaks  of  alarm  in  her  passage,  Rose 


A    TRIP    TO   CHINA. 

Plilil- 


7S 


74  .  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

crept  to  the  distant  seat,  and  sat  there  holding  on 
with  both  hands  and  looking  as  if  she  expected  every 
wave  to  bring  a  sudden  shipwreck. 

Uncle  Alec  took  no  notice  of  her  fear,  but  patiently 
instructed  her  in  the  art  of  steering,  till  she  was  so 
absorbed  in  remembering  which  was  starboard  and 
which  larboard,  that  she  forgot  to  say  "  Ow ! "  every 
time  a  big  wave  slapped  against  the  boat. 

"  Now  where  shall  we  go  ?  "  she  asked,  as  the  wind 
blew  freshly  in  her  face,  and  a  few  long,  swift  strokes 
sent  them  half  across  the  little  bay. 

"  SujDpose  we  go  to  China?" 

"  Is  n't  that  rather  a  long  voyage  ?  " 

"  Not  as  I  go.  Steer  round  the  Point  into  the  har- 
bor, and  I  '11  give  you  a  glimpse  of  China  in  twenty 
minutes  or  so." 

"  I  should  like  that ! "  and  Rose  Sat  wondering  what 
he  meant,  while  she  enjoyed  the  new  sights  all  about 
her. 

Behind  them  the  green  Aunt-hill  sloped  gently  up- 
ward to  the  grove  at  the  top,  and  all  along  the  sea- 
ward side  stood  familiar  houses,  stately,  cosey,  or 
picturesque.  As  they  rounded  the  Point,  the  great 
bay  opened  before  them  full  of  shipping,  and  the  city 
lay  beyond,  its  spires  rising  above  the  tall  masts  with 
their  gay  streamers. 

"  Are  we  going  there  ? "  she  asked,  for  she  had 
never  seen  this  aspect  of  the  rich  and  busy  old  city 
before. 

"  Yes.  Uncle  Mac  has  a  ship  just  in  from  Hong 
Kong,  and  I  thought  you  would  like  to  go  and  see  it." 

"  Oh,  I  should  !     I  love  dearly  to  go  looking  about 


A    TRIP    TO    CHINA.  75 

in  the  warehouses  with  Uncle  Mac;  every  thing  is 
so  curious  and  new  to  me  ;  and  I  'm  si^ecially  inter- 
ested in  China  because  you  have  been  there." 

"  I  '11  show  you  two  genuine  Chinamen  who  have 
just  arrived.  You  will  like  to  welcome  Whang  Lo 
and  Fun  See,  I  'm  sure." 

"  Don't  ask  me  to  speak  to  them,  uncle ;  I  shall  be 
sure  to  laugh  at  the  odd  names  and  the  pig-tails  and 
the  slanting  eyes.  Please  let  me  just  trot  round  after 
you  ;  I  like  that  best." 

"  Very  well ;  now  steer  toward  the  wharf  where 
the  big  ship  with  the  queer  flag  is.  That 's  the 
'Rajah,'  and  we  will  go  aboard  if  we  can." 

In  among  the  ships  they  went,  by  the  wharves 
where  the  water  was  green  and  still,  and  queer  bar- 
nacles grew  on  the  slippery  piles.  Odd  smells  saluted 
her  nose,  and  odd  sights  met  her  eyes,  but  Rose  liked 
it  all,  and  played  she  was  really  landing  in  Hong  Kong 
when  they  glided  up  to  the  steps  in  the  shadow  of  the 
tall  "Rajah."  Boxes  and  bales  were  rising  out  of  the 
hold  and  being  carried  into  the  warehouse  by  stout 
porters,  who  tugged  and  bawled  and  clattered  about 
with  small  trucks,  or  worked  cranes  w4th  iron  claws 
that  came  down  and  clutched  heavy  weights,  whisking 
them  aloft  to  where  wide  doors  like  mouths  swallowed 
them  ujD. 

Dr.  Alec  took  her  aboard  the  ship,  and  she  had  the 
satisfaction  of  poking  her  inquisitive  little  nose  into 
every  available  corner,  at  the  risk  of  being  crushed, 
lost,  or  drowned. 

"  Well,  child,  how  would  you  like  to  take  a  voyage 
round  the  world  with  me  in  a  jolly  old   craft  like 


76  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

this  ? "  asked  her  uncle,  as  they  rested  a  minute  in 
the  captain's  cabin. 

"  I  should  like  to  see  the  world,  but  not  in  such 
a  small,  untidy,  smelly  place  as  this.  We  would  go 
in  a  yacht  all  clean  and  comfortable  ;  Charlie  says 
that  is  the  proper  way,"  answered  Rose,  surveying 
the  close  quarters  with  little  favor. 

"  You  are  not  a  true  Campbell  if  you  don't  like  the 
smell  of  tar  and  salt-water,  nor  Charlie  either,  with 
his  luxurious  yacht.  Now  come  ashore  and  chin-chin 
with  the  Celestials." 

After  a  delightful  progress  through  the  great  ware- 
house, peeping  and  picking  as  they  went,  they  found 
Uncle  Mac  and  the  yellow  gentlemen  in  his  private 
room,  where  samples,  gifts,  curiosities,  and  newly 
arrived  treasures  of  all  sorts  were  piled  up  in  pleasing 
pro-fusion  and  con-fusion. 

As  soon  as  possible  Rose  retired  to  a  corner,  with 
a  porcelain  god  on  one  side,  a  green  dragon  on  the 
other,  and,  what  was  still  more  embarrassing.  Fun 
See  sat  on  a  tea-chest  in  front,  and  stared  at  her  with 
his  beady  black  eyes  till  she  did  not  know  where  to 
look. 

Mr.  Whang  Lo  was  an  elderly  gentleman  in  Ameri- 
can costume,  with  his  pig-tail  neatly  wound  round  his 
head.  He  spoke  English,  and  was  talking  busily  with 
Uncle  Mac  in  the  most  commonplace  way,  —  so  Rose 
considered  him  a  failure.  But  Fun  See  was  delight- 
fully Chinese  from  his  junk-like  shoes  to  the  button 
on  his  pagoda  hat ;  for  he  had  got  himself  up  in  style, 
and  was  a  mass  of  silk  jackets  and  slouchy  trousers. 
He  was  short  and  fat,   and  waddled   comically;  his 


A     TRIP    TO    CHINA.  77 

eyes  were  very  "  slanting,"  as  Rose  said ;  his  queue 
was  long,  so  were  his  nails ;  his  yellow  face  was  plump 
and  shiny,  and  he  was  altogether  a  highly  satisfactory 
Chinaman. 

Uncle  Alec  told  her  that  Fun  See  had  come  out  to 
be  educated,  and  could  only  sjDeak  a  little  pigeon 
English ;  so  she  must  be  kind  to  the  poor  fellow,  for 
he  was  only  a  lad,  though  he  looked  nearly  as  old  as 
Mr.  Whang  Lo.  Rose  said  she  would  be  kind ;  but 
had  not  the  least  idea  how  to  entertain  the  queer 
guest,  who  looked  as  if  he  had  walked  out  of  one 
of  the  rice-paper  landscapes  on  the  wall,  and  sat 
nodding  at  her  so  like  a  toy  Mandarin  that  she  could 
hardly  keep  sober. 

In  the  midst  of  her  polite  perj^lexity.  Uncle  Mac 
saw  the  two  young  people  gazing  wistfully  at  one 
another,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the  joke  of  this  making 
acquaintance  under  difficulties.  Taking  a  box  from 
his  table,  he  gave  it  to  Fun  See  with  an  order  that 
seemed  to  please  him  very  much. 

Descending  from  his  perch,  he  fell  to  unpacking  it 
with  great  neatness  and  despatch,  while  Rose  watched 
him,  wondering  what  was  going  to  happen.  Pres- 
ently, out  from  the  wrappings  came  a  teapot,  which 
caused  her  to  clasp  her  hands  with  delight,  for  it  was 
made  in  the  likeness  of  a  plump  little  Chinaman.  His 
hat  was  the  cover,  his  queue  the  handle,  and  his  pipe 
the  nose.  It  stood  upon  feet  in  shoes  turned  up  at 
the  toes,  and  the  smile  on  the  fat,  sleepy  face  was  so 
like  that  on  Fun's  when  he  displayed  the  teapot,  that 
Rose  could  n't  help  laughing,  which  pleased  him  much. 

Two  pretty  cups  with  covers,  and  a  fine  scarlet  tray, 


78 


EIGHT   COUSINS. 


Fun  siGxiP'iED  in  pantomime  that  they  were  hers.  —  Page  79. 


A    TRIP    TO    CHINA.  79 

completed  the  set,  and  made  one  long  to  have  a  "dish 
of  tea,"  even  m  Chinese  style,  without  cream  or  sugar. 

When  he  had  arranged  them  on  a  little  table  before 
her,  Fun  signified  in  pantomime  that  they  were  hers, 
from  her  uncle.  She  returned  her  thanks  in  the  same 
way,  whereupon  he  returned  to  his  tea-chest,  and, 
having  no  other  means  of  communication,  they  sat 
smilino:  and  noddino^  at  one  another  in  an  absurd  sort 
of  way  till  a  new  idea  seemed  to  strike  Fun.  Tum- 
bling off  his  seat,  he  waddled  away  as  fast  as  his  petti- 
coats permitted,  leaving  Rose  hoping  that  he  had  not 
gone  to  get  a  roasted  rat,  a  stewed  puppy,  or  any  other 
foreign  mess  which  civility  would  oblige,  her  to  eat. 

While  she  waited  for  her  funny  new  friend,  she 
improved  her  mind  in  a  way  that  would  have  charmed 
Aunt  Jane.  The  gentlemen  were  talking  over  all 
sorts  of  things,  and  she  listened  attentively,  storing 
up  much  of  what  she  heard,  for  she  had  an  excellent 
memory,  and  longed  to  distinguish  herself  by  being 
able  to  produce  some  useful  information  when  re- 
proached with  her  ignorance. 

She  was  just  trying  to  impress  upon  her  mind  that 
Amoy  was  two  hundred  and  eighty  miles  from  Hong 
Kong,  when  Fun  came  scuffling  back,  bearing  what 
she  thought  was  a  small  sword,  till  he  unfurled  an 
immense  fan,  and  presented  it  with  a  string  of  Chi- 
nese compliments,  the  meaning  of  which  would  have 
amused  her  even  more  than  the  sound  if  she  could 
have  understood  it. 

She  had  never  seen  such  an  astonishing  fan,  and  at 
once  became  absorbed  in  examining  it.  Of  course, 
there  was  no  perspective  whatever,  which  only  gave 


80  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

it  a  peculiar  charm  to  Rose,  for  in  one  place  a  lovely 
lady,  with  blue  knitting-needles  in  her  hair,  sat  di- 
rectly upon  the  spire  of  a  stately  pagoda.  In  another 
charming  view  a  brook  appeared  to  flow  in  at  the 
front  door  of  a  stout  gentleman's  house,  and  out  at 
his  chimney.  In  a  third  a  zigzag  wall  went  up  into 
the  sky  like  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  a  bird  with  two 
tails  was  apparently  brooding  over  a  fisherman  whose 
boat  was  just  going  aground  upon  the  moon. 

It  was  altogether  a  fascinating  thing,  and  she  would 
have  sat  wafting  it  to  and  fro  all  the  afternoon,  to 
Fun's  great  satisfaction,  if  Dr.  Alec's  attention  had 
not  suddenly  been  called  to  her  by  a  breeze  from  the 
big  fan  that  blew  his  hair  into  his  eyes,  and  reminded 
him  that  they  must  go.  So  the  pretty  china  was  re- 
packed. Rose  furled  her  fan,  and  with  several  parcels 
of  choice  teas  for  the  old  ladies  stowed  away  in  Dr. 
Alec's  pockets,  they  took  their  leave,  after  Fun  had 
saluted  them  with  the  "  three  bendings  and  the  nine 
knockings,"  as  they  salute  the  Emperor,  or  "  Son  of 
Heaven,"  at  home. 

"  I  feel  as  if  I  had  really  been  to  China,  and  I  'm 
sure  I  look  so,"  said  Rose,  as  they  glided  out  of  the 
shadow  of  the  "Rajah." 

She  certainly  did,  for  Mr.  Whang  Lo  had  given 
her  a  Chinese  umbrella;  Uncle  Alec  had  got  some 
lanterns  to  light  up  her  balcony  ;  the  great  fan  lay  in 
her  lap,  and  the  tea-set  reposed  at  her  feet. 

"  This  is  not  a  bad  way  to  study  geography,  is  it  ?  " 
asked  her  uncle,  who  had  observed  her  attention  to 
the  talk. 

"  It  is  a  very  pleasant  way,  and   I  really  think  I 


A    TRIP    TO    CHINA.  81 

have  learned  more  about  China  to-day  than  in  all  the 
lessons  I  had  at  school,  though  I  used  to  rattle  off  the 
answers  as  fast  as  I  could  go.  No  one  explained  any 
thing  to  us,  so  all  I  remember  is  that  tea  and  silk  come 
from  there,  and  the  women  have  little  bits  of  feet.  I 
saw  Fun  looking  at  mine,  and  he  must  have  thought 
them  perfectly  immense,"  answered  Rose,  surveying 
her  stout  boots  with  sudden  contempt. 

"  We  will  have  out  the  maps  and  the  globe,  and  I  '11 
show  you  some  of  my  journeys,  telling  stories  as  we 
go.     That  will  be  next  best  to  doing  it  actually." 

"  You  are  so  fond  of  travelling,  I  should  think  it 
would  be  very  dull  for  you  here,  uncle.  Do  you 
know.  Aunt  Plenty  says  she  is  sure  you  will  be  off 
in  a  year  or  tw^o." 

"  Very  likely." 

"  Oh  me !  what  shall  I  do  then  ? "  sighed  Rose,  in 
a  tone  of  despair  that  made  Uncle  Alec's  face  brighten 
with  a  look  of  genuine  pleasure  as  he  said  signifi- 
cantly, — 

"  Next  time  I  go  I  shall  take  my  little  anchor  with 
me.     How  will  that  suit  ?  " 

"  Really,  uncle  ?  " 

"  Really,  niece." 

Rose  gave  a  little  bounce  of  rapture  which  caused 
the  boat  to  "  wiggle "  in  a  way  that  speedily  quieted 
her  down.  But  she  sat  beaming  joyfully  and  trying 
to  think  which  of  some  hundred  questions  she  would 
ask  first,  when  Dr.  Alec  said,  pointing  to  a  boat  that 
was  coming  up  behind  them  in  great  style, — 

"  How  well  those  fellows  row  !  Look  at  them,  and 
take  notes  for  your  own  use  by  and  by." 

4*  F 


82  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

The  "  Stormy  Petrel "  was  manned  by  half  a  dozen 
jaunty-looking  sailors,  who  made  a  fine  display  of  blue 
shirts  and  shiny  hats,  with  stars  and  anchors  in  every 
direction. 

"  How  beautifully  they  go,  and  they  are  only  boys. 
Why,  I  do  believe  they  are  our  boys !  Yes,  I  see 
Charlie  laughing  over  his  shoulder.  Row,  uncle,  row ! 
oh,  please  do,  and  not  let  them  catch  u\)  with  us ! " 
cried  Rose,  in  such  a  state  of  excitement  that  the  new 
umbrella  nearly  went  overboard. 

"  All  right,  here  we  go ! "  and  away  they  did  go 
with  a  long  steady  sweep  of  the  oars  that  carried  the 
"  Bonnie  Belle  "  through  the  water  with  a  rush. 

The  lads  pulled  their  prettiest,  but  Dr.  Alec  would 
have  reached  the  Point  first,  if  Rose,  in  her  flurry,  had 
not  retarded  him  by  jerking  the  rudder  ropes  in  a 
most  unseamanlike  way,  and  just  as  she  got  right 
again  her  hat  blew  off.  That  put  an  end  to  the  race, 
and  while  they  were  still  fishing  for  the  hat  the  other 
boat  came  alongside,  with  all  the  oars  in  the  air,  and 
the  jolly  young  tars  ready  for  a  frolic. 

"  Did  you  catch  a  crab,  uncle  ?  " 

"  No,  a  blue-fish,"  he  answered,  as  the  dripping  hat 
was  landed  on  a  seat  to  dry. 

"What  have  you  been  doing?" 

"  Seeing  Fun." 

"  Good  for  you.  Rose !  I  know  what  you  mean. 
We  are  going  to  have  him  uj)  to  show  us  how  to  fly 
the  big  kite,  for  we  can't  get  the  hang  of  it.  Is  n't 
he  great  fun,  though?" 

"  No,  little  Fun." 

"  Come,  stop  joking,  and  show  us  what  you  've  got." 


A    TRIP    TO    CHINA.  83 

"You'd  better  hoist  that  fan  for  a  sail." 

"Lend  Dandy  your  umbrella;  he  hates  to  burn  his 
pretty  nose." 

"  I  say,  uncle,  are  you  going  to  have  a  Feast  of 
Lanterns  ?  " 

"  No,  I  'm  going  to  have  a  feast  of  bread  and  butter, 
for  it 's  tea-time.  If  that  black  cloud  does  n't  lie,  we 
shall  have  a  gust  before  long,  so  you  had  better  get 
home  as  soon  as  you  can,  or  your  mother  will  be 
anxious,  Archie." 

"Ay,  ay,  skipper.  Good-night,  Rose;  come  out 
often,  and  we  '11  teach  you  all  there  is  to  know  about 
rowing,"  was  Charlie's  modest  invitation. 

Then  the  boats  parted  company,  and  across  the 
water  from  the  "Petrel's"  crew  came  a  verse  from 
one  of  the  Nonsense  Songs  in  which  the  boys  de- 
lighted. 

"  Oh,  Timballoo !  how  happy  we  are, 
We  live  in  a  sieve  and  a  crockery  jar! 
And  all  night  long,  in  the  starlight  pale. 
We  sail  away,  with  a  pea-gi'een  sail. 
And  whistle  and  warble  a  moony  song 
To  the  eclioing  sound  of  a  coppery  gong. 

Far  and  few,  far  and  few 
Are  the  lands  where  the  Jumblles  live ; 
Their  heads  are  green,  and  their  hands  are  blue, 

And  they  went  to  sea  in  a  sieve." 


CHAPTER    VIII. 
AND    WHAT   CAME    OF   IT. 

"T  TNCLE,  could  you  lend  me  a  nmepence?     I'll 

v-/  return  it  as  soon  as  I  get  my  pocket-money," 
said  Rose,  coming  into  the  library  in  a  great  hurry 
that  evening. 

"I  think  I  could,  and  I  won't  charge  any  interest 
for  it,  so  you  need  not  be  in  any  hurry  to  repay  me. 
Come  back  here  and  help  me  settle  these  books  if  you 
have  nothing  pleasanter  to  do,"  answered  Dr.  Alec, 
handing  out  the  money  with  that  readiness  which  is 
so  delightful  when  we  ask  small  loans. 

"  I  '11  come  in  a  minute  ;  I  've  been  longing  to  fix 
my  books,  but  didn  't  dare  to  touch  them,  because  you 
always  shake  your  head  when  I  read." 

"I  shall  shake  my  head  when  you  write,  if  you 
don't  do  it  better  than  you  did  in  making  out  this 
catalogue." 

"  I  know  it 's  bad,  but  I  was  in  a  hurry  when  I  did 
it,  and  I  am  in  one  now."  And  away  went  Rose,  glad 
to  escape  a  lecture. 

But  she  got  it  when  she  came  back,  for  Uncle  Alec 
was  still  knitting  his  brows  over  the  list  of  books,  and 
sternly  demanded,  pointing  to  a  tipsy-looking  title 
staggering  down  the  page,  — 


AND    WHAT    CAME    OF   IT.  85 

"  Is  that  meant  for  '  Pulverized  Bones,'  ma'am  ?  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  it 's  '  Paradise  Lost.'  " 

"  Well,  I  'm  glad  to  know  it,  for  I  began  to  think 
you  were  planning  to  study  surgery  or  farming.  And 
what  is  this,  if  you  jjlease  ?  '  Babies'  Aprons '  is  all  1 
can  make  of  it." 

Rose  looked  hard  at  the  scrawl,  and  j^resently  an- 
nounced, with  an  air  of  superior  wisdom,  — 

"  Oh,  that 's  '  Bacon's  Essays.'  " 

"  Miss  Power  did  not  teach  any  tiling  so  old-fashioned 
as  writing,  I  see.  Now  look  at  this  little  memorandum 
Aunt  Plenty  gave  me,  and  see  what  a  handsome  plain 
hand  that  is.  She  went  to  a  dame-school  and  learnt  a 
few  useful  things  well ;  that  is  better  than  a  smatter- 
ing of  half  a  dozen  so-called  higher  branches,  I  take 
the  liberty  of  thinking." 

"  Well,  I  'm  sure  I  was  considered  a  bright  girl  at 
school,  and  learned  every  thing  I  was  taught.  Luly 
and  me  were  the  first  in  all  our  classes,  and  'specially 
praised  for  our  French  and  music  and  those  sort  of 
things,"  said  Rose,  rather  offended  at  Uncle  Alec's 
criticism. 

"  I  dare  say ;  but  if  your  French  grammar  was  no 
better  than  your  English,  I  think  the  praise  was  not 
deserved,  my  dear." 

"  Why,  uncle,  we  did  study  English  grammar,  and 
I  could  jDarse  beautifully.  Miss  Power  used  to  have 
us  up  to  show  off  when  people  came.  I  don't  see  but 
I  talk  as  right  as  most  girls." 

"  I  dare  say  you  do,  but  we  are  all  too  careless  about 
our  English.  Now,  think  a  minute  and  tell  me  if 
these  expressions  are  correct,  — '  Luly  and  me,'  '  those 
sort  of  things,'  and  '  as  right  as  most  girls.' " 


86  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

■  Rose  pulled  her  pet  curl  and  put  up  her  lip,  but  had 
to  own  that  she  was  wrong,  and  said  meekly,  after  a 
pause  which  threatened  to  be  sulky,  — 

"  I  suppose  I  should  have  said  '  Luly  and  I,'  in  that 
case,  and  'that  sort  of  things'  and  'rightly,'  though 
'  correctly '  would  have  been  a  better  word,  I  guess."    , 

"  Thank  you ;  and  if  you  will  kindly  drojD  '  I  guessj 
I  shall  like  my  little  Yankee  all  the  better.  Now,  see 
here.  Rosy,  I  don't  pretend  to  set  myself  up  for  a 
model  in  any  thing,  and  you  may  come  down  on  my 
grammar,  manners,  or  morals  as  often  as  you  think 
I  'm  wrong,  and  I  '11  thank  you.  I  've  been  knocking 
about  the  world  for  years,  and  have  got  careless,  but  I 
want  my  girl  to  be  what  I  call  well  educated,  even  if 
she  studies  nothing  but  the  '  three  Rs '  for  a  year  to 
come.  Let  us  be  thorough,  no  matter  how  slowly 
we  go." 

He  spoke  so  earnestly  and  looked  so  sorry  to  have 
ruffled  her  that  Rose  went  and  sat  on  the  arm  of  his 
chair,  saying,  with  a  pretty  air  of  penitence,  — 

"  I  'm  sorry  I  was  cross,  uncle,  when  I  ought  to  thank 
you  for  taking  so  much  interest  in  me.  I  guess,  —  no, 
I  think  you  are  right  about  being  thorough,  for  I  used 
to  understand  a  great  deal  better  when  papa  taught 
me  a  few  lessons  than  when  Miss  Power  hurried  me 
through  so  many.  I  declare  my  head  used  to  be  such 
a  jumble  of  French  and  German,  history  and  arithme- 
tic, grammar  and  music,  I  used  to  feel  sometimes  as  if 
it  would  split.  I'm  sure  I  don't  wonder  it  ached." 
And  she  held  on  to  it  as  if  the  mere  memory  of  the 
*'  jumble  "  made  it  swim. 

"  Yet  that  is  considered  an  excellent  school,  I  find, 


AND    WHAT    CAME    OF  IT.  87 

and  I  dare  say  it  would  be  if  the  benighted  lady  did 
not  think  it  necessary  to  cram  her  pupils  like  Thanks- 
giving turkeys,  instead  of  feeding  them  in  a  natural 
and  wholesome  way.  It  is  the  fault  with  most  Amer- 
ican schools,  and  the  poor  little  heads  will  go  on  aching 
till  we  learn  better." 

This  was  one  of  Dr.  Alec's  hobbies,  and  Rose  was 
afraid  he  was  off  for  a  gallop,  but  he  reined  himself  in 
and  gave  her  thoughts  a  new  turn  by  saying  suddenly, 
as  he  pulled  out  a  fat  jDocket-book,  — 

"  Uncle  Mac  has  put  all  your  affairs  into  my  hands 
now,  and  here  is  your  month's  pocket-money.  You 
keep  your  own  little  accounts,  I  sujopose  ?  " 

"  Thank  you.  Yes,  Uncle  Mac  gave  me  an  account- 
book  when  I  went  to  school,  and  I  used  to  put  down 
my  expenses,  but  I  could  n't  make  them  go  very  well, 
for  figures  are  the  one  thing  I  am  not  at  all  clever 
about,"  said  Rose,  rummaging  in  her  desk  for  a  dilaj^i- 
dated  little  book,  which  she  was  ashamed  to  show 
when  she  found  it. 

"Well,  as  figures  are  rather  important  things  to 
most  of  us,  and  you  may  have  a  good  many  accounts 
to  keep  some  day,  would  n't  it  be  wise  to  begin  at  once 
and  learn  to  manage  your  pennies  before  the  pounds 
come  to  perplex  you  ?  " 

"I  thought  you  would  do  all  that  fussy  part  and 
take  care  of  the  pounds,  as  you  call  them.  Need  I 
worry  about  it  ?     I  do  hate  sums  so  !  " 

"  I  shall  take  care  of  things  till  you  are  of  age,  but 
I  mean  that  you  shall  know  how  your  property  is  man- 
aged and  do  as  much  of  it  as  you  can  by  and  by ; 
then  you  won't  be  dependent  on  the  honesty  of  other 
people." 


88  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Gracious  me  !  as  if  I  would  n't  trust  you  with  mil- 
lions of  billions  if  I  had  them,"  cried  Rose,  scandalized 
at  the  mere  suggestion. 

"  Ah,  but  I  might  be  tempted  ;  guardians  are  some- 
times ;  so  you  'd  better  keep  your  eye  on  me,  and  in 
order  to  do  that  you  must  learn  all  about  these  affairs," 
answered  Dr.  Alec,  as  he  made  an  entry  in  his  own 
very  neat  account-book. 

Rose  peeped  over  his  shoulder  at  it,  and  then  turned 
to  the  arithmetical  puzzle  in  her  hand  with  a  sigh  of 
despair. 

"Uncle,  when  you  add  up  your  expenses  do  you 
ever  find  you  have  got  more  money  than  you  had  in 
the  beginning  ?  " 

"  No  ;  I  usually  find  that  I  have  a  good  deal  less  than 
I  had  in  the  beginning.  Are  you  troubled  in  the  pe- 
culiar way  you  mention  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  it  is  very  curious,  but  I  never  can  make 
things  come  out  square." 

"  Perhaps  I  can  help  you,"  began  Uncle  Alec,  in  the 
most  respectful  tone. 

"  I  think  you  had  better,  for  if  I  have  got  to  keep 
accounts  I  may  as  well  begin  in  the  right  way.  But 
please  don't  laugh !  I  know  I  'm  very  stupid,  and  my 
book  is  a  disgrace,  but  I  never  could  get,  it  straight." 
And  with  great  trepidation  Rose  gave  up  her  funny 
little  accounts. 

It  really  vms  good  in  Dr.  Alec  not  to  laugh,  and 
Rose  felt  deeply  grateful  when  he  said,  in  a  mildly 
suggestive  tone,  — 

"  The  dollars  and  cents  seem  to  be  rather  mixed  ; 
perhaps  if  I  just  straightened  them  out  a  bit  we  should 
find  things  all  right." 


AND    WHAT    CAME   OF  IT.  89 

"  Please  do,  and  then  show  me  on  a  fresh  leaf  how 
to  make  mine  look  nice  and  ship-shape  as  yours  do." 

As  Rose  stood  by  him  watching  the  ease  with  which 
he  quickly  brought  order  out  of  chaos,  she  privately 
resolved  to  hunt  up  her  old  arithmetic  and  perfect 
herself  in  the  first  four  rules,  with  a  good  tug  at  frac- 
tions, before  she  read  any  more  fairy  tales. 

"  Am  I  a  rich  girl^  uncle  ? "  she  asked  suddenly,  as 
he  was  copying  a  column  of  figures. 

"  Rather  a  poor  one,  I  should  say,  since  you  had  to 
borrow  a  ninepence." 

"  That  was  your  fault,  because  you  forgot  my  pocket- 
money.     But,  really,  shall  I  be  rich  by  and  by  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  you  will." 

"  Why  afraid,  uncle  ?  " 

"  Too  much  money  is  a  bad  thing." 

"  But  I  can  give  it  away,  you  know  ;  that  is  always 
the  pleasantest  part  of  having  it,  I  think." 

"  I  'm  glad  you  feel  so,  for  you  can  do  much  good 
with  your  fortune  if  you  know  how  to  use  it  well." 

"  You  shall  teach  me,  and  when  I  am  a  woman  we 
will  set  up  a  school  where  nothing  but  the  three  Rs 
shall  be  taught,  and  all  the  children  live  on  oatmeal, 
and  the  girls  have  waists  a  yard  round,"  said  Rose, 
with  a  sudden  saucy  smile  dimpling  her  cheeks. 

"  You  are  an  impertinent  little  baggage,  to  turn  on 
me  in  that  Avay  right  in  the  midst  of  my  first  attempt 
at  teaching.  Never  mind,  I  '11  have  an  extra  bitter 
dose  for  you  next  time,  miss." 

"I  knew  you  wanted  to  laugh,  so  I  gave  you  a 
chance.  Now  I  will  be  good,  master,  and  do  my 
lesson  nicely." 


90  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

So  Dr.  Alec  had  his  laugh,  and  then  Rose  sat  down 
and  took  a  lesson  in  accounts  which  she  never  forgot. 

"  Now  come  and  read  aloud  to  me ;  my  eyes  are 
tired,  and  it  is  pleasant  to  sit  here  by  the  fire  while 
the  rain  pours  outside  and  Aunt  Jane  lectures  up- 
stairs," said  Uncle  Alec,  when  last  month's  accounts 
had  been  put  in  good  order  and  a  fresh  page  neatly 
begun. 

Rose  liked  to  read  aloud,  and  gladly  gave  him  the 
chapter  in  "Nicholas  Nickleby"  where  the  Miss  Ken- 
wigses  take  their  French  lesson.  She  did  her  very 
best,  feeling  that  she  was  being  criticised,  and  hoping 
that  she  might  not  be  found  wanting  in  this  as  in 
other  things. 

"Shall  I  go  on,  sir?"  she  asked  very  meekly  when 
the  chapter  ended. 

"If  you  are  not  tired,  dear.  It  is  a  pleasure  to 
hear  you,  for  you  read  remarkably  well,"  was  the  an- 
swer that  filled  her  heart  with  pride  and  pleasure. 

"  Do  you  really  think  so,  uncle  ?  I  'm  so  glad  !  jDapa 
taught  me,  and  I  read  for  hours  to  him,  but  I  thought, 
perhaps,  he  liked  it  because  he  was  fond  of  me." 

"  So  am  I ;  but  you  really  do  read  imusually  well, 
and  I  am  very  glad  of  it,  for  it  is  a  rare  accomplish- 
ment, and  one  I  value  highly.  Come  here  in  this  cosey, 
low  chair  ;  the  light  is  better,  and  I  can  pull  these  curls 
if  you  go  too  fast.  I  see  you  are  going  to  be  a  great 
comfort  as  well  as  a  great  credit  to  your  old  uncle. 
Rosy."  And  Dr.  Alec  drew  her  close  beside  him  with 
such  a  fatherly  look  and  tone  that  she  felt  it  would 
be  very  easy  to  love  and  obey  him  since  he  knew  how 
to  mix  praise  and  blame  so  pleasantly  together. 


AND    WHAT    CAME    OF  IT.  91 

Another  chapter  was  just  finished,  when  the  sound 
of  a  carriage  warned  them  that  Aunt  Jane  was  about 
to  depart.  Before  they  couki  go  to  meet  her,  however, 
she  appeared  in  the  door-way  looking  like  an  unusually 
tall  mummy  in  her  waterproof,  with  her  glasses  shin- 
ing like  cat's  eyes  from  the  depths  of  the  hood. 

"  Just  as  I  thought !  petting  that  child  to  death  and 
letting  her  sit  up  late  reading  trash.  I  do  hope  you 
feel  the  weight  of  the  responsibility  you  have  taken 
upon  yourself,  Alec,"  she  said,  with  a  certain  grun 
sort  of  satisfaction  at  seeing  things  go  wrong. 

"I  think  I  have  a  very  realizing  sense  of  it,  sister 
Jane,"  answered  Dr.  Alec,  with  a  comical  shrug  of  the 
shoulders  and  a  glance  at  Rose's  bright  face. 

"  It  is  sad  to  see  a  great  girl  wasting  these  precious 
hours  so.  Now,  my  boys  have  studied  all  day,  and 
Mac  is  still  at  his  books,  I  've  no  doubt,  while  you 
have  not  had  a  lesson  since  you  came,  I  suspect." 

"  I  have  had  five  to-day,  ma'am,"  was  Rose's  very 
unexpected  answer. 

"  I  'm  glad  to  hear  it ;  and  what  were  they,  pray  ?  " 

Rose  looked  very  demure  as  she  replied,  — 

"  Navigation,  geography,  grammar,  arithmetic,  and 
keeping  my  temper." 

"  Queer  lessons,  I  fancy ;  and  what  have  you  learned 
from  this  remarkable  mixture,  I  should  like  to  know?  " 

A  naughty  sparkle  came  into  Rose's  eyes  as  she 
answered,  with  a  droll  look  at  her  uncle, — 

"I  can't  tell  you  all,  ma'am,  but  I  have  collected 
some  useful  information  about  China,  which  you  may 
like,  especially  the  teas.  The  best  are  Lapsing 
Souchong,  Assam  Pekoe,  rare  Ankoe,  Flowery  Pekoe, 


92  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Howqua's  mixture,  Scented  Caper,  Padral  tea,  blaciv 
Congou,  and  green  Twankey.  Shanghai  is  on  the 
Woosung  River.  Hong  Kong  means  '  Island  of  sweet 
waters.'  Singapore  is  'Lion's  Town.'  'Chops'  are 
the  boats  they  live  in ;  and  they  drink  tea  out  of  little 
saucers.  Principal  productions  are  porcelain,  tea, 
cinnamon,  shawls,  tin,  tamarinds,  and  opium.  They 
have  beautiful  temples  and  queer  gods ;  and  in  Canton 
is  the  Dwelling  of  the  Holy  Pigs,  fourteen  of  them, 
very  big,  and  all  blind." 

The  effect  of  this  remarkable  burst  was  immense, 
especially  the  fact  last  mentioned.  It  entirely  took 
the  wind  out  of  Aunt  Jane's  sails ;  it  was  so  sudden, 
so  varied  and  unexpected,  that  she  had  not  a  word  to 
say.  The  glasses  remained  fixed  full  upon  Rose  for  a 
moment,  and  then,  with  a  hasty  "  Oh,  indeed  ! "  the 
excellent  lady  bundled  into  her  carriage  and  drove 
away,  somewhat  bewildered  and  very  much  disturbed. 

She  would  have  been  more  so  if  she  had  seen  her 
reprehensible  brother-in-law  dancing  a  triumi^hal  polka 
down  the  hall  with  Rose  in  honor  of  having  silenced 
the  enemy's  battery  for  once. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

PHEBE'S    SECRET. 

WHY  do  you  keep  smiling  to  yourself,  Phebe?" 
asked  Rose,  as  they  were  working  together 
one  morning,  for  Dr.  Alec  considered  house-work  the 
best  sort  of  gymnastics  for  girls ;  so  Rose  took  lessons 
of  Phebe  in  sweeping,  dusting,  and  bed-making. 

"I  was  thinking  about  a  nice  little  secret  I  know, 
and  could  n't  help  smiling." 

"  Shall  I  know  it  sometime  ?  " 

"  Guess  you  will." 

"Shall  I  like  it?" 

"  Oh,  won't  you,  though  ! " 

"Will  it  happen  soon?" 

"  Sometime  this  week." 

"  I  know  what  it  is !  The  boys  are  going  to  have 
[ire-works  on  the  Fourth,  and  have  got  some  surprise 
for  me.     Have  n't  they  ?  " 

"  That's  telling." 

"Well,  I  can  wait;  only  tell  me  one  thing,  —  is 
uncle  in  it  ?  " 

"  Of  course  he  is ;  there 's  never  any  fun  without 
him." 

"  Then  it  is  all  right,  and  sure  to  be  nice." 


94  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

Rose  went  out  on  the  balcony  to  shake  the  rugs, 
and,  having  given  them  a  vigorous  beating,  hung 
them  on  the  balustrade  to  air,  while  she  took  a  look 
at  her  plants.  Several  tall  vases  and  jars  stood  there, 
and  a  month  of  June  sun  and  rain  had  worked  won- 
ders with  the  seeds  and  slips  she  had  planted.  Morn- 
ing-glories and  nasturtiums  ran  all  over  the  bars, 
making  haste  to  bloom.  Scarlet  beans  and  honey- 
suckles were  climbing  up  from  below  to  meet  their 
pretty  neighbors,  and  the  woodbine  was  hanging  its 
green  festoons  wherever  it  could  cling. 

The  waters  of  the  bay  were  dancing  in  the  sunshine, 
a  fresh  wind  stirred  the  chestnut-trees  with  a  pleasant 
sound,  and  the  garden  below  was  full  of  roses,  butter- 
flies, and  bees.  A  great  chirping  and  twittering  went 
on  among  the  birds,  busy  with  their  summer  house- 
keeping, and,  far  away,  the  white-winged  gulls  were 
dipping  and  diving  in  the  sea,  where  ships,  like  larger 
birds,  went  sailing  to  and  fro. 

"  Oh,  Phebe,  it 's  such  a  lovely  day,  I  do  wish  your 
fine  secret  was  going  to  happen  right  away !  I  feel 
just  like  having  a  good  time  ;  don't  you?"  said  Rose, 
waving  her  arms  as  if  she  was  going  to  fly. 

"  I  often  feel  that  way,  but  I  have  to  wait  for  my 
good  times,  and  don't  stop  working  to  wish  for  'em. 
There,  now  you  can  finish  as  soon  as  the  dust  settles ; 
I  must  go  do  my  stairs,"  and  Phebe  trudged  away 
with  the  broom,  singing  as  she  went. 

Rose  leaned  where  she  was,  and  fell  to  thinking 
how  many  good  times  she  had  had  lately,  for  the 
gardening  had  prospered  finely,  and  she  was  learning 
to  swim  and  row,  and  there  were  drives  and  walks, 


PHEBE'S    SECRET.  95 

and  quiet  hours  of  reading  and  talk  with  Uncle  Alec, 
and,  best  of  all,  the  old  pain  and  ennui  seldom 
U^oubled  her  now.  She  could  work  and  play  all  day, 
sleep  sweetly  all  night,  and  enjoy  life  with  the  zest  of 
a  healthy,  hajDj^y  child.  She  was  far  from  being  as 
strong  and  hearty  as  Phebe,  but  she  was  getting  on ; 
the  once  pale  cheeks  had  color  in  them  now,  the  hands 
were  growing  plump  and  brown,  and  the  belt  was  not 
much  too  loose.  No  one  talked  to  her  about  her 
health,  and  she  forgot  that  she  had  "  no  constitution." 
She  took  no  medicine  but  Dr.  Alec's  three  great 
remedies,  and  they  seemed  to  suit  her  excellently. 
Aunt  Plenty  said  it  was  the  pills ;  but,  as  no  second 
batch  ever  followed  the  first,  I  think  the  old  lady  was 
mistaken. 

Rose  looked  worthy  of  her  name  as  she  stood 
smiling  to  herself  over  a  happier  secret  than  any 
Phebe  had,  —  a  secret  which  she  did  not  know  herself 
till  she  found  out,  some  years  later,  the  magic  of  good 
health. 

"  '  Look  only/  said  the  brownie, 
'  At  the  pretty  gown  of  blue, 
At  the  kerchief  pinned  about  her  head, 
And  at  her  little  shoe/  " 

said  a  voice  from  below,  as  a  great  cabbage-rose  came 
flying  against  her  cheek. 

"  What  is  the  princess  dreaming  about  up  there  in 
her  hanging-garden?"  added  Dr.  Alec  as  she  flung 
back  a  morning-glory. 

"  I  was  wishing  I  could  do  something  pleasant  this 
fine  day ;  something  very  new  and  interesting,  for  the 
wind  makes  me  feel  frisky  and  gay." 


96  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Suppose  we  take  a  pull  over  to  the  Island  ?  I 
intended  to  go  this  afternoon;  but  if  you  feel  more 
like  it  now,  we  can  be  off  at  once." 

"  I  do  !  I  do  !  I  '11  come  in  fifteen  minutes,  uncle. 
I  must  just  scrabble  my  room  to  rights,  for  Phebe 
has  got  a  great  deal  to  do." 

Rose  caught  up  the  rugs  and  vanished  as  she  spoke, 
while  Dr.  Alec  went  in,  saying  to  himself,  with  an 
indulgent  smile, — 

"  It  may  upset  things  a  trifle,  but  half  a  child's 
pleasure  consists  in  having  their  fun  when  they  want 
it." 

Never  did  duster  flap  more  briskly  than  the  one 
Rose  used  that  day,  and  never  was  a  room  "  scrab- 
bled "  to  rights  in  such  haste  as  hers.  Tables  and 
chairs  flew  into  their  places  as  if  alive  ;  curtains  shook 
as  if  a  gale  was  blowing ;  china  rattled  and  small 
articles  tumbled  about  as  if  a  young  earthquake  was 
playing  with  them.  The  boating  suit  went  on  in  a 
twinkling,  and  Rose  was  off  with  a  hop  and  a  skip, 
little  dreaming  how  many  hours  it  would  be  before 
she  saw  her  pretty  room  again. 

Uncle  Alec  was  putting  a  large  basket  into  the  boat 
when  she  arrived,  and  before  they  were  off  Phebe 
came  running  down  with  a  queer,  knobby  bundle 
done  up  in  a  water-proof. 

"  We  can't  eat  half  that  luncheon,  and  I  know  we 
shall  not  need  so  many  wraps.  I  wouldn't  lumber 
the  boat  up  so,"  said  Rose,  who  still  had  secret  scares 
when  on  the  water. 

"Couldn't  you  make  a  smaller  parcel,  Phebe?" 
asked  Dr.  Alec,  eying  the  bundle  suspiciously. 


PHEBE'S    SECRET.  97 

"  No,  sir,  not  in  such  a  hurry,"  and  Phebe  laughed 
as  she  gave  a  particularly  large  knob  a  good  poke. 

"  Well,  it  will  do  for  ballast.  Don't  forget  the  note 
to  Mrs.  Jessie,  I  beg  of  you." 

"  No,  sir.  I  '11  send  it  right  off,"  and  Phebe  ran  up 
the  bank  as  if  she  had  wings  to  her  feet. 

"  We  '11  take  a  look  at  the  light-house  first,  for  you 
have  not  been  there  yet,  and  it  is  worth  seeing.  By 
the  time  we  have  done  that  it  will  be  pretty  warm, 
and  we  will  have  lunch  under  the  trees  on  the  Island." 

Rose  was  ready  for  any  thing,  and  enjoyed  her  visit 
to  the  light-house  on  the  Point  very  much,  especially 
climbing  up  the  narrow  stairs  and  going  inside  the 
great  lantern.  They  made  a  long  stay,  for  Dr.  Alec 
seemed  in  no  hurry  to  go,  and  kept  looking  through 
his  spy-glass  as  if  he  expected  to  discover  something 
remarkable  on  sea  or  land.  It  was  past  twelve  before 
they  reached  the  Island,  and  Rose  was  ready  for  her 
lunch  long  before  she  got  it. 

"  Now  this  is  lovely  !  I  do  wish  the  boys  were 
here.  Won't  it  be  nice  to  have  them  with  us  all  their 
vacation?  Why,  it  begins  to-day,  doesn't  it?  Oh, 
I  wish  I'd  remembered  it  sooner,  and  perhaps  they 
would  have  come  with  us,"  she  said,  as  they  lay  lux- 
uriously eating  sandwiches  under  the  old  apple-tree. 

"  So  we  might.  Next  time  we  won't  be  in  such  a 
hurry.  I  expect  the  lads  will  take  our  heads  off  when 
they  find  us  out,"  answered  Dr.  Alec,  placidly  drink- 
ing cold  tea. 

"  Uncle,  I  smell  a  frying  sort  of  a  smell,"  Rose  said, 
pausing  suddenly  as  she  was  putting  away  the  remains 
of  the  lunch  half  an  hour  later. 
6  o 


98  EIGHT   COUSINS, 

«  So  do  I ;  it  is  fish,  I  think." 

For  a  moment  they  both  sat  with  their  noses  in  the 
air,  sniffing  like  hounds ;  then  Dr.  Alec  sj^rang  up, 
saying  with  great  decision, — 

"  Now  tliis  won't  do  !  No  one  is  permitted  on  this 
island  without  asking  leave.  I  must  see  who  dares  to 
fry  fish  on  my  private  property." 

Taking  the  basket  on  one  arm  and  the  bundle  on 
the  other,  he  strode  away  toward  the  traitorous  smell, 
looking  as  fierce  as  a  lion,  while  Rose  marched  behind 
under  her  umbrella. 

"  We  are  Robinson  Crusoe  and  his  man  Friday 
going  to  see  if  the  savages  have  come,"  she  said 
presently,  for  her  fancy  was  full  of  the  dear  old 
stories  that  all  children  love  so  well. 

"And  there  they  are!  Two  tents  and  two  boats, 
as  I  live !  These  rascals  mean  to  enjoy  themselves, 
that's  evident." 

"  There  ought  to  be  more  boats  and  no  tents.  I 
wonder  where  the  prisoners  are  ? " 

''  There  are  traces  of  them,"  and  Dr.  Alec  jDointed 
to  the  heads  and  tails  of  fishes  strewn  on  the  grass. 

"  And  there  are  more,"  said  Rose,  laughing,  as  she 
pointed  to  a  scarlet  heap  of  what  looked  like  lobsters. 

"  The  savages  are  probably  eating  their  victims  now  ; 
don't  you  hear  the  knives  rattle  in  that  tent  ?  " 

"  We  ought  to  creep  up  and  peep ;  Crusoe  was  cau- 
tious, you  know,  and  Friday  scared  out  of  his  wits," 
added  Rose,  still  keeping  up  the  joke. 

"  But  this  Crusoe  is  going  to  pounce  upon  them 
regardless  of  consequences.  If  I  am  killed  and  eaten, 
you  seize  the  basket  and  run  for  the  boat ;  there  are 
provisions  enough  for  your  voyaq-e  home." 


P HEBE'S  SECRET.  99 

With  that  Uncle  Alec  slipped  round  to  the  front  of 
the  tent,  and,  casting  in  the  big  bundle  like  a  bomb- 
shell, roared  out,  in  a  voice  of  thunder,  — 

"  Pirates,  surrender !  " 

A  crash,  a  shout,  a  laugh,  and  out  came  the  savages, 
brandishing  knives  and  forks,  chicken  bones,  and  tin 
mugs,  and  all  fell  upon  the  intruder,  pommelling  him 
unmercifully  as  they  cried,  — 

"  You  came  too  soon !  "We  are  not  half  ready ! 
You  Ve  spoilt  it  all !    Where  is  Rose  ?  " 

"  Here  I  am,"  answered  a  half-stifled  voice,  and  Rose 
was  discovered  sitting  on  the  pile  of  red  flannel  bath- 
ing-clothes, which  she  had  mistaken  for  lobsters,  and 
where  she  had  fallen  in  a  fit  of  merriment  when  she 
discovered  that  the  cannibals  were  her  merry  cousins. 

"You  good-for-nothing  boys!  You  are  always 
bursting  out  upon  me  in  some  ridiculous  way,  and  I 
always  get  taken  in  because  I'm  not  used  to  such 
pranks.  Uncle  is  as  bad  as  the  rest,  and  it 's  great 
fun,"  she  said,  as  the  lads  came  round  her,  half  scold- 
ing, half  welcoming,  and  wholly  enjoying  the  double 
surprise. 

"  You  were  not  to  come  till  afternoon,  and  mamma 
was  to  be  here  to  receive  you.  Every  thing  is  in  a 
mess  now,  except  your  tent ;  we  got  that  in  order  the 
first  thing,  and  you  can  sit  there  and  see  us  work," 
said  Archie,  doing  the  honors  as  usual. 

"Rose  felt  it  in  her  bones,  as  Dolly  says,  that  some- 
thing was  in  the  wind,  and  wanted  to  be  off  at  once. 
So  I  let  her  come,  and  should  have  kept  her  away  an 
hour  longer  if  your  fish  had  not  betrayed  you,"  ex- 
plained Uncle  Alec,  subsiding  from  a  ferocious  Crusoe 
into  his  good-natured  self  again. 


EIGHT  COUSINS. 


FHEBE'S    SECRET.  101 

-'  As  this  seat  is  rather  damp,  I  think  I  '11  rise,"  said 
ilose,  as  the  excitement  lessened  a  little. 

Several  fishy  hands  helped  her  up,  and  Charlie  said, 
as  he  scattered  the  scarlet  garments  over  the  grass 
with  an  oar,  — 

"We  had  a  jolly  good  swim  before  dinner,  and  I 
told  the  Brats  to  spread  these  to  dry.  Hojie  you 
brought  i/oiw  things,  Rose,  for  you  belong  to  the  Lob- 
sters^ you  know,  and  we  can  have  no  end  of  fun  teach- 
ing you  to  dive  and  float  and  tread  water." 

"I  didn't  bring  any  thing  — "  began  Rose,  but 
was  interrupted  by  the  Brats  (otherwise  Will  and 
Geordie) ,  who  appeared  bearing  the  big  bundle,  so 
much  demoralised  by  its  fall  that  a  red  flannel  tunic 
trailed  out  at  one  end  and  a  little  blue  dressing-gown 
at  the  other,  Avlhile  the  knobs  proved  to  be  a  toilet-case, 
rubbers,  and  a  sV^lver  mug. 

"  Oh,  that  sly  Phebe !  This  was  the  secret,  and  she 
bundled  up  tlxose  things  after  I  w^ent  down  to  the 
boat,"  cried  ^ose,  with  sparkling  eyes. 

"  Guess  something  is  smashed  inside,  for  a  bit  of 
glass  fell  out,"  observed  Will,  as  they  deposited  the 
bundle  at  her  feet. 

"Catch  a  girl  going  anywhere  without  a  looking- 
glass.  We  have  n't  got  one  among  the  whole  lot  of 
us,"  added  Mac,  with  masculine  scorn. 

"  Dandy  has  ;  I  caught  him  touching  up  his  wig  be- 
hind the  trees  after  our  swim,"  cut  in  Geordie,  wagging 
a  derisive  finger  at  Steve,  who  promptly  silenced  him 
by  a  smart  rap  on  the  head  with  the  drum-stick  he 
had  just  polished  off. 

"  Come,  con^«,  you  lazy  lubbers,  fall  to  work,  or  w^e 


102  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

shall  not  be  ready  for  mamma.  Take  Rose's  things  to 
her  tent,  and  tell  her  all  about  it,  Prince.  Mac  and 
Steve,  you  cut  away  and  bring  up  the  rest  of  the 
straw ;  and  you  small  chaps  clear  off  the  table,  if  you 
have  stuffed  all  you  can.  Please,  uncle,  I  'd  like  your 
advice  about  the  boundary  lines  and  the  best  place  for 
the  kitchen." 

Every  one  obeyed  the  Chief,  and  Rose  was  escorted 
to  her  tent  by  Charlie,  who  devoted  himself  to  her 
service.  She  was  charmed  with  her  quarters,  and  still 
more  so  with  the  programme  which  he  unfolded  before 
her  as  they  worked. 

"  We  always  camp  out  somewhere  in  vacation,  and 
this  year  we  thought  we  'd  try  the  Island.  It  is  handy, 
and  our  fire-works  will  show  off  well  from  here." 

"  Shall  we  stay  over  the  Fourth  ?  Three  whole 
days  !     Oh,  me  !  Avhat  a  frolic  it  will  be !" 

"Bless  your  heart,  we  often  camp  for  a  week,  we 
big  fellows ;  but  this  year  the  small  chaps  wanted  to 
come,  so  we  let  them.  We  have  great  larks,  as  you  '11 
see ;  for  we  have  a  cave  and  play  Captain  Kidd,  and 
have  shipwrecks,  and  races,  and"  all  sorts  of  games, 
j^rch  and  I  are  rather  past  that  kind  of  thing  now,  but 
we  do  it  to  please  the  children,"  added  Charlie,  with  a 
sudden  recollection  of  his  sixteen  years. 

"  I  had  no  idea  boys  had  such  good  times.  Their 
plays  never  seemed  a  bit  interesting  before.  But  I 
suppose  that  was  because  I  never  knew  any  boys  very 
well,  or  perhaps  you  are  unusually  nice  ones,"  observed 
Rose,  with  an  artless  air  of  appreciation  that  was  very 
flattering. 

"  We  are  a  pretty  clever  set,  I  fancy ;  but  we  have  a 


PHEBE'S    SECRET.  103 

good  many  advantages,  you  see.  There  are  a  tribe  of 
us,  to  begin  with ;  then  our  family  has  been  here  for 
ages,  and  we  have  j^lenty  of  '  sj)ondulics,'  so  we  can 
rather  lord^t  over  the  other  fellows  and  do  as  we  like. 
There,  ma'am,  you  can  hang  your  smashed  glass  on 
that  nail  and  do  up  your  back  hair  as  fine  as  you  please. 
You  can  have  a  blue  blanket  or  a  red  one,  and  a  straw 
pillow  or  an  air  cushion  for  your  head,  whichever  you 
like.  You  can  trim  up  to  any  extent,  and  be  as  free 
and  easy  as  squaws  in  a  wigwam,  for  this  corner  is  set 
apart  for  you  ladies,  and  we  never  cross  the  line  uncle 
is  drawing  until  we  ask  leave.  Any  thing  more  I  can 
do  for  you,  cousin  ?  " 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  think  I  '11  leave  the  rest  till 
auntie  comes,  and  go  and  helj)  you  somewhere  else,  if 
I  may." 

"  Yes,  indeed,  come  on  and  see  to  the  kitchen.  Can 
you  cook  ? "  asked  Charlie,  as  he  led  the  way  to  the 
rocky  nook  where  Archie  was  putting  ujd  a  sail-cloth 
awning. 

"  I  can  make  tea  and  toast  bread." 

"  Well,  we  '11  show  you  how  to  fry  fish  and  make 
chowder.  Now  you  just  set  these  pots  and  pans  round 
tastefully,  and  sort  of  tidy  up  a  bit,  for  Aunt  Jessie 
insists  on  doing  some  of  the  work,  and  I  want  it  to  be 
decent  here." 

By  four  o'clock  the  camp  was  in  order,  and  the 
weary  workers  settled  down  on  Lookout  Rock  to 
watch  for  Mrs.  Jessie  and  Jamie,  who  was  never  far 
from  mamma's  apron-string.  They  looked  like  a  flock 
of  blue-birds,  all  being  in  sailor  rig,  with  blue  ribbon 
enough  flying  from  the  seven  hats  to  have  set  up   a 


104  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

milliner.  Very  tuneful  blue-birds  they  were,  too,  for 
all  tlie  lads  sang,  and  the  echo  of  their  happy  voices 
reached  jMrs.  Jessie  long  before  she  saw  them. 

The  moment  the  boat  hove  in  sight  up  went  the 
Island  flag,  and  the  blue-jackets  cheered  lustily,  as 
they  did  on  every  possible  occasion,  like  true  young 
Americans.  This  welcome  was  answered  by  the  flapping 
of  a  handkerchief  and  the  shrill  "  Rah  !  Rah  !  Rah  !  " 
of  the  one  small  tar  who  stood  in  the  stern  waving  his 
hat  manfully,  while  a  maternal  hand  clutched  him 
firmly  in  the  rear. 

Cleopatra  landing  from  her  golden  galley  never  re- 
ceived a  heartier  greeting  than  "  Little  Mum "  as  she 
was  borne  to  her  tent  by  the  young  folk,  for  love  of 
whom  she  smilingly  resigned  herself  to  three  days  of 
discomfort ;  while  Jamie  immediately  attached  him- 
self to  Rose,  assuring  her  of  his  protection  from  the 
manifold  perils  which  might  assail  them. 

Taught  by  long  experience  that  boys  are  alioays 
hungry,  Aunt  Jessie  soon  proposed  supper,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  get  it,  enveloped  in  an  immense  apron,  with 
an  old  hat  of  Archie's  stuck  atop  of  her  cap.  Rose 
helped,  and  tried  to  be  as  handy  as  Phebe,  though  the 
peculiar  style  of  table  she  had  to  set  made  it  no  easy 
task.  It  was  accomplished  at  last,  and  a>ery  happy 
party  lay  about  under  the  trees,  eating  and  drinking  out 
of  anyone's  plate  and  cup,  and  quite  untroubled  by  the 
frequent  appearance  of  ants  and  spiders  in  places  which 
these  interesting  insects  are  not  expected  to  adorn. 

"  I  never  thought  I  should  like  to  wash  dishes,  but 
I  do,"  said  Rose,  as  she  sat  in  a  boat  after  supper 
lazily  rinsing  plates  in  the  sea,  and  rocking  luxuriously 
as  she  wiped  them. 


'  PHEBE'S    SECRET.  105 

"  Mum  is  mighty  particular ;  we  just  give  'em  a 
scrub  with  sand,  and  dust  'em  off  with  a  bit  of  jjaper. 
It 's  much  the  best  way,  I  think,"  replied  Geordie,  who 
reposed  in  another  boat  alongside. 

"  How  Phebe  would  Uke  this  !  I  wonder  uncle  did 
not  have  her  come." 

"  I  believe  he  tried  to,  but  Dolly  was  as  cross  as  two 
sticks,  and  said  she  could  n't  spare  her.  I  'm  sorry,  for 
we  all  like  the  Phebe  bird,  and  she  'd  chirp  like  a  good 
one  out  here,  would  n't  she  ?  " 

"  She  ought  to  have  a  holiday  like  the  rest  of  us. 
It 's  too  bad  to  leave  her  out. " 

This  thought  came  back  to  Rose  several  times  that 
evening,  for  Phebe  would  have  added  much  to  the 
little  concert  they  had  in  the  moonlight,  would  have 
enjoyed  the  stories  told,  been  quick  at  guessing  the 
conundrums,  and  laughed  with  all  her  heart  at  the  fun. 
The  merry  going  to  bed  would  have  been  best  of  all, 
for  Rose  wanted  some  one  to  cuddle  under  the  blue 
blanket  with  her,  there  to  whisper  and  giggle  and  tell 
secrets,  as  girls  delight  to  do. 

Long  after  the  rest  were  asleep,  Rose  lay  wide 
awake,  excited  by  the  novelty  of  all  about  her,  and  a 
thought  that  had  come  into  her  mind.  Far  away  she 
heard  a  city  clock  strike  twelve ;  a  large  star  like  a 
mild  eye  peeped  in  at  the  opening  of  the  tent,  and  the 
soft  plash  of  the  waves  seemed  calling  her  to  come  out. 
Aunt  Jessie  lay  fast  asleep,  with  Jamie  rolled  up  like 
a  kitten  at  her  feet,  and  neither  stirred  as  Rose  in  her 
wrapper  crept  out  to  see  how  the  world  looked  at 
midnight. 

She  found  it  very  lovely,  and  sat  down  on  a  cracker 
6* 


106  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

keg  to  enjoy  it  with  a  heart  full  of  the  innocent  senti- 
ment of  her  years.  Fortunately,  Dr.  Alec  saw  her 
before  she  had  time  to  catch  cold,  for  coming  out  to 
tie  back  the  door-flap  of  his  tent  for  more  air,  he  be- 
held the  small  figure  perched  in  the  moonlight.  Hav- 
ing no  fear  of  ghosts^  he  quietly  approached,  and, 
seeing  that  she  was  wide  awake,  said,  with  a  hand  on 
her  shining  hair,  — 

"  What  is  my  girl  doing  here?" 

"Having  a  good  time,"  answered  Rose,  not  at  all 
startled. 

"  I  wonder  what  she  was  thinking  about  with  such 
a  sober  look  ?  " 

"  The  story  you  told  of  the  brave  sailor  who  gave 
up  his  place  on  the  raft  to  the  woman,  and  the  last 
drop  of  water  to  the  jDoor  baby.  People  who  make 
sacrifices  are  very  much  loved  and  admired,  are  n't 
they?"  she  asked,  earnestly. 

"If  the  sacrifice  is  a  true  one.  But  many  of  the 
bravest  never  are  known,  and  get  no  praise.  That 
does  not  lessen  their  beauty,  though  perhaps  it  makes 
them  harder,  for  we  all  like  sympathy,"  and  Dr.  Alec 
sighed  a  patient  sort  of  sigh. 

"  I  suppose  you  have  made  a  great  many  ?  Would 
you  mind  telling  me  one  of  them  ? "  asked  Rose,  ar- 
rested by  the  sigh. 

"My  last  was  to  give  up  smoking,"  was  the  very 
unromantic  answer  to  her  pensive  question. 

"Why  did  you?" 

"  Bad  example  for  the  boys." 

"  That  was  very  good  of  you,  uncle  !     Was  it  hard  ?  " 

"  I  'm  ashamed  to  say  it  was.     But  as  a  wise  old  fel- 


PHEBRS    SECRET.  107 

low  once  said,  '  It  is  necessary  to  do  right ;  it  is  not 
necessary  to  be  happy.' " 

Rose  pondered  over  the  saying  as  if  it  pleased  her, 
and  then  said,  with  a  clear,  bright  look, — 

"  A  real  sacrifice  is  giving  up  something  you  want 
or  enjoy  very  much,  isn't  it?" 

"Yes." 

"  Doing  it  one's  own  self  because  one  loves  another 
person  very  much  and  wants  her  to  be  happy  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  And  doing  it  pleasantly,  and  being  glad  about  it, 
and  not  minding  the  praise  if  it  does  n't  come  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear,  that  is  the  true  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  ; 
you  seem  to  understand  it,  and  I  dare  say  you  will 
have  many  chances  in  your  life  to  try  the  real  thing. 
I  hope  they  won't  be  very  hard  ones." 

"  I  think  they  will,"  began  Rose,  and  there  stopped 
short. 

"Well,  make  one  now,  and  go  to  sleep,  or  my  girl 
will  be  ill  to-morrow,  and  then  the  aunts  will  say 
camping  out  was  bad  for  her." 

"I '11  go,  —  goodnight!"  and  throwing  him  a  kiss, 
the  little  ghost  vanished,  leaving  Uncle  Alec  to  pace 
the  shore  and  think  about  some  of  the  unsuspected 
sacrifices  that  had  made  him  what  he  was. 


CHAPTER    X. 

ROSE'S     SACRIFICE. 

THERE  certainly  were  "larks"  on  Campbell's  Isl- 
and next  day,  as  Charlie  had  foretold,  and 
Rose  took  her  part  in  them  like  one  intent  on  enjoy- 
ing every  minute  to  the  utmost.  There  was  a  merry 
breakfast,  a  successful  fishing  expedition,  and  then  the 
lobsters  came  out  in  full  force,  for  even  Aunt  Jessie 
appeared  in  red  flannel.  There  was  nothing  Uncle 
Alec  could  not  do  in  the  water,  and  the  boys  tried 
their  best  to  equal  him  in  strength  and  skill,  so  there 
was  a  great  diving  and  ducking,  for  every  one  was 
bent  on  distinguishing  himself. 

Rose  swam  far  out  beyond  her  depth,  with  uncle  to 
float  her  back ;  Aunt  Jessie  splashed  placidly  in  the 
shallow  pools,  with  Jamie  paddling  near  by  like  a 
little  whale  beside  its  mother ;  while  the  lads  careered 
about,  looking  like  a  flock  of  distracted  flamingoes, 
and  acting  like  the  famous  dancing  party  in  "  Alice's 
Adventures  in  Wonderland." 

Nothing  but  chowder  would  have  lured  them  from 
their  gambols  in  the  briny  deep  ;  that  time-honored 
dish  demanded  the  concentrated  action  of  several 
mighty  minds  ;  so  the  "  AVater  Babies  "  came  ashore 
and  fell  to  cooking. 


ROSE'S    SACRIFICE,  109 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that,  when  done,  it  was  the 
most  remarkable  cliowder  ever  cooked,  and  the  quan- 
tity eaten  would  have  amazed  the  world  if  the  secret 
had  been  divulged.  After  this  exertion  a  siesta  was 
considered  the  thing,  and  joeople  lay  about  in  tents  or 
out  as  they  pleased,  the  boys  looking  like  warriors 
slumbering  where  they  fell. 

The  elders  had  just  settled  to  a  comfortable  nap 
when  the  youngsters  rose,  refreshed  and  ready  for 
further  ex2)loits.  A  hint  sent  them  all  off  to  the  cave, 
and  there  were  discovered  bows  and  arrows,  battle 
clubs,  old  swords,  and  various  relics  of  an  interesting 
nature.  Perched  upon  a  commanding  rock,  Avith  Jamie 
to  "  splain  "  things  to  her,  Rose  beheld  a  series  of  stir- 
ring scenes  enacted  with  great  vigor  and  historical 
accuracy  by  her  gifted  relatives. 

Captain  Cook  was  murdered  by  the  natives  of  Owhy- 
hee  in  the  most  thrilling  manner.  Captain  Kidd 
buried  untold  wealth  in  the  chowder  kettle  at  the  dead 
of  night,  and  shot  both  the  trusting  villains  who  shared 
the  secret  of  the  hiding-place.  Sinbad  came  ashore 
there  and  had  manifold  adventures,  and  numberless 
wrecks  bestrewed  the  sands. 

Rose  considered  them  by  far  the  most  exciting 
dramas  she  had  ever  witnessed  ;  and  when  the  perform- 
ance closed  with  a  grand  ballet  of  Feejee  Islanders, 
v\'hose  barbaric  yells  alarmed  the  gulls,  she  had  no 
words  in  which  to  express  her  gratification. 

Another  swim  at  sunset,  another  merry  evening  on 
the  rocks  watching  the  lighted  steamers  pass  seaward 
and  the  pleasure-boats  come  into  port,  ended  the 
second  day  of  the  camping  out,  and  sent  every  one  to 


110  EIGHT    COUSINS, 

bed  early  that  they  might  be  ready  for  the  festivitib" 
of  the  morrow. 

"  Archie,  did  n't  I  hear  uncle  ask  yon  to  row  home 
in  the  morning  for  fresh  milk  and  things  ?  " 

"Yes;  why?" 

"  Please,  may  I  go  too  ?  I  have  something  of  great 
importance  to  arrange  ;  you  know  I  was  carried  off  in 
a  hurry,"  Rose  said  in  a  confidential  whisjDer  as  she 
was  bidding  her  cousins  good-night. 

"  I  'm  willing,  and  I  guess  Charlie  won't  mind." 

"  Thank  you ;  be  sure  you  stand  by  me  when  I  ask 
leave  in  the  morning,  and  don't  «ay  any  thing  till  then, 
except  to  Charlie.  Promise,"  urged  Rose,  so  eagerly 
that  Archie  struck  an  attitude,  and  cried  dramati- 
cally, — 

"  By  yonder  moon  I  swear  ! " 

"  Hush  !  it 's  all  right,  go  along ; "  and  Rose  departed 
as  if  satisfied. 

"  Slie's  a  queer  little  thing,  is  n't  she.  Prince  ?  " 

"  Rather  a  nice  little  thing,  /think.  I  'm  quite  fond 
of  her." 

Rose's  quick  ears  caught  both  remarks,  and  she  re- 
tired to  her  tent,  saying  to  herself  with  sleepy  dig- 
nity, — 

"  Little  thing,  indeed  !  Those  boys  talk  as  if  I  was 
a  baby.  They  will  treat  me  with  more  respect  after 
to-morrow,  I  guess." 

Archie  did  stand  by  her  in  the  morning,  and  her 
request  was  readily  granted,  as  the  lads  were  coming 
directly  back.  Off  they  went,  and  Rose  waved  her 
hand  to  the  islanders  with  a  somewhat  pensive  air,  for 
an  heroic  purpose  glowed  within  her,  and  the  spirit  of 


ROSE'S    SACRIFICE.  Ill 

self-sacrifice  was  about  to  be  illustrated  in  a  new  and 
touching  manner. 

While  the  boys  got  the  milk  Rose  ran  to  Phebe, 
ordered  her  to  leave  her  dishes,  to  put  on  her  hat 
and  take  a  note  back  to  Uncle  Alec,  which  would  ex- 
l^lain  this  somewhat  mysterious  performance.  Phebe 
obeyed,  and  when  she  went  to  the  boat  Rose  accompa^ 
nied  her,  telling  the  boys  she  was  not  ready  to  go  yet, 
but  they  could  some  of  them  come  for  her  when  she 
hung  a  white  signal  on  her  balcony. 

"  But  why  not  come  now  ?  What  are  you  about, 
miss  ?  Uncle  won't  like  it,"  protested  Charlie,  in  great 
amazement. 

"  Just  do  as  I  tell  you,  little  boy ;  uncle  will  under- 
stand and  explain.  Obey,  as  Phebe  does,  and  ask  no 
questions.  I  can  have  secrets  as  well  as  other  people  ; " 
and  Rose  walked  off  with  an  air  of  lofty  independence 
that  impressed  her  friends  immensely. 

"  It 's  some  plot  between  uncle  and  herself,  so 
we  won't  meddle.  All  right,  Phebe?  Pull  away, 
Prince ; "  and  off  they  went,  to  be  received  with 
much  surprise  by  the  islanders. 

This  was  the  note  Phebe  bore:  — 

"Dear  Uncle,  —  I  am  going  to  take  Phebe's  place  to-day,  and 
let  her  have  all  the  fun  she  can.  Please  don't  mind  what  she  says, 
but  keep  her,  and  tell  the  boys  to  be  very  good  to  her  for  my  sake. 
Don't  think  it  is  easy  to  do  this ;  it  is  verj^  hard  to  give  up  the 
best  day  of  all,  but  I  feel  so  selfish  to  have  all  the  pleasure,  and 
Phebe  none,  that  I  wish  to  make  this  sacrifice.  Do  let  me,  and 
don't  laugh  at  it ;  I  truly  do  not  wish  to  be  praised,  and  I  truly 
want  to  do  it.     Love  to  all  from  "  Rose." 

"Bless  the  little  dear,  what  a  generous  heart  she 
has  I     Shall  we  go  after  her,  Jessie,  or  let  her  have 


112  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

her  way?"  said  Dr.  Alec,  after  the  first  mingled 
amusement  and  astonishment  had  subsided. 

"  Let  her  alone,  and  don't  s2:>oil  her  little  sacrifice. 
She  means  it,  I  know,  and  the  best  way  in  which  we 
can  show  our  respect  for  her  effort  is  to  give  Phebe 
a  pleasant  day.  I  'm  sure  she  has  earned  it ; "  and 
Mrs.  Jessie  made  a  sign  to  the  boys  to  suppress  their 
disappointment  and  exert  themselves  to  please  Rose's 
guest. 

Phebe  was  with  difiiculty  kept  from  going  straight 
home,  and  declared  that  she  should  not  enjoy  herself 
one  bit  without  Miss  Rose. 

"  She  won't  hold  out  all  day,  and  we  shall  see  her 
paddling  back  before  noon,  I  '11  wager  any  thing,"  said 
Charlie ;  and  the  rest  so  strongly  inclined  to  his 
opinion  that  they  resigned  themselves  to  the  loss  of 
the  little  queen  of  the  revels,  sure  that  it  would  be 
only  a  temporary  one. 

But  hour  after  hour  passed,  and  no  signal  appeared 
on  the  balcony,  though  Phebe  watched  it  hopefully. 
No  passing  boat  brought  the  truant  back,  though 
more  than  one  pair  of  eyes  looked  out  for  the  bright 
hair  under  the  round  hat ;  and  sunset  came,  bringing 
no  Rose  but  the  lovely  color  in  the  western  sky. 

"I  really  did  not  think  the  child  had  it  in  her.  I 
fancied  it  was  a  bit  of  sentiment,  but  I  see  she  vxis 
in  earnest,  and  means  that  her  sacrifice  shall  be  a  true 
one.  Dear  little  soul !  I'll  make  it  up  to  her  a  thou- 
sand times  over,  and  beg  her  pardon  for  thinking  it 
might  be  done  for  effect,"  Dr.  Alec  said  remorsefully, 
as  he  strained  his  eyes  through  the  dusk,  fancying  he 
saw  a  small  figure  sitting  in  the  garden  as  it  had  sat 


ROSE'S    SACRIFICE,  113 

on  the  keg  the  night  before,  laying  the  generous  little 
l^lot  that  had  cost  more  than  he  could  guess. 

"  Well,  she  can't  help  seeing  the  fire-works  any 
way,  unless  she  is  goose  enough  to  think  she  must 
hide  in  a  dark  closet  and  not  look,"  said  Archie,  who 
was  rather  disgusted  at  Rose's  seeming  ingratitude. 

"  She  will  see  ours  'apitally,  but  miss  the  big  ones 
on  the  hill,  unless  papa  has  forgotten  all  about  them," 
added  Steve,  cutting  short  the  harangue  Mac  had 
begun  upon  the  festivuls  of  the  ancients. 

"  1  'm  sure  the  sight  of  her  will  be  better  than  the 
finest  fire-works  that  ever  went  off,"  said  Phebe, 
meditating  an  elopement  with  one  of  the  boats  if 
she  could  get  a  chance. 

"  Let  things  work ;  if  she  resists  the  brilliant  in- 
vitation we  give  her  she  will  be  a  heroine,"  added 
Uncle  Alec,  secretly  hoping  that  she  would  not. 

Meanwhile  Rose  had  spent  a  quiet,  busy  day  help- 
ing Dolly,  waiting  on  Aunt  Peace,  and  steadily  re- 
sisting Aunt  Plenty's  attempts  to  send  her  back  to 
the  happy  island.  It  had  been  hard  in  the  morning 
to  come  in  from  the  bright  world  outside,  with  flags 
flying,  cannon  booming,  crackers  popping,  and  every 
one  making  ready  for  a  holiday,  and  go  to  washiiig 
cups,  while  Dolly  grumbled  and  the  aunts  lamented. 
It  was  very  hard  to  see  the  day  go  by,  knowing  how 
gay  each  hour  must  have  been  across  the  water,  and 
how  a  word  from  her  would  take  her  where  she 
longed  to  be  with  all  her  heart.  But  it  was  hardest 
of  all  when  evening  came  and  Aunt  Peace  was  aslee]:>, 
Aunt  Plenty  seeing  a  gossip  in  the  parlor,  Dolly 
established  in  the  porch  to  enjoy  the  show,  and  noth- 


114  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

ing  left  for  the  little  maid  to  do  but  sit  alone  in  her 
balcony  and  watch  the  gay  rockets  whizz  up  from 
island,  hill,  and  city,  while  bands  played  and  boats 
laden  with  hapj^y  peoj^le  went  to  and  fro  in  the  fitful 
light. 

Then  it  must  be  confessed  that  a  tear  or  two  dimmed 
the  blue  eyes,  and  once,  when  a  very  brilliant  display 
illuminated  the  island  for  a  moment,  and  she  fancied 
she  saw  the  tents,  the  curly  head  went  down  on  the 
railing,  and  a  wide-awake  nasturtium  heard  a  little 
whisper,  — 

"  I  ho23e  some  one  wishes  I  was  there ! " 

The  tears  were  all  gone,  however,  and  she  was 
watching  the  hill  and  island  answer  each  other  with 
what  Jamie  called  "  whizzers,  whirligigs,  and  busters," 
and  smiling  as  she  thought  how  hard  the  boys  must 
be  working  to  keep  up  such  a  steady  fire,  when  Uncle 
Mac  came  walking  in  upon  her,  saying  hurriedly,  — 

"  Come,  child,  put  on  your  tippet,  pelisse,  or  what- 
ever you  call  it,  and  run  off  with  me.  I  came  to  get 
Phebe,  but  aunt  says  she  is  gone,  so  I  want  you.  I  've 
got  Fun  down  in  the  boat,  and  I  want  you  to  go  with 
us  and  see  my  fire-works.  Got  them  up  for  you,  and 
you  mustn't  miss  them,  or  I  shall  be  disappointed." 

"  But,  uncle,"  began  Rose,  feeling  as  if  she  ought  to 
refuse  even  a  glimpse  of  bliss,  "perhaps  —  " 

"  I  know,  my  dear,  I  know ;  aunt  told  me ;  but  no 
one  needs  you  now  so  much  as  I  do,  and  I  insist  on 
your  coming,"  said  Uncle  Mac,  who  seemed  in  a  great 
hurry  to  be  off,  yet  was  unusually  kind. 

So  Rose  went  and  found  the  little  Chinaman  with 
a  funny  lantern  waiting  to  help  her  in  and  convulse 


ROSE'S    SACRIFICE.  115 

her  with  laughter  trying  to  express  his  emotions  in 
pigeon  Enghsh.  The  city  clocks  were  striking  nine 
as  they  got  out  into  the  bay,  and  the  island  fire-works 
seemed  to  be  over,  for  no  rocket  answered  the  last 
Roman  candle  that  shone  on  the  Aunt-hill. 

"  Ours  are  done,  I  see,  but  they  are  going  up  all 
round  the  city,  and  how  pretty  they  are,"  said  Rose, 
folding  her  mantle  about  her  and  surveying  the  scene 
with  a  pensive  interest. 

"  Hope  my  fellows  have  not  got  into  trouble  up 
there,"  muttered  Uncle  Mac,  adding,  with  a  satisfied 
chuckle,  as  a  spark  shone  out,  "  No ;  there  it  goes! 
Look,  Rosy,  and  see  how  you  like  this  one ;  it  was 
ordered  especially  in  honor  of  your  coming." 

Rose  looked  with  all  her  eyes,  and  saw  the  spark 
grow  into  the  likeness  of  a  golden  vase,  then  green 
leaves  came  out,  and  then  a  crimson  flower  glowing 
on  the  darkness  with  a  splendid  lustre. 

"Is  it  a  rose,  uncle  ?"  she  asked,  clasping  her 
hands  with  delight  as  she  recognized  the  handsome 
flower. 

"  Of  course  it  is !  Look  again,  and  gness  what 
those  are,"  answered  Uncle  Mac,  chuckling  and  enjoy- 
ing it  all  like  a  boy. 

A  wreath  of  what  looked  at  first  like  purple  brooms 
appeared  below  the  vase,  but  Rose  guessed  what  they 
were  meant  for  and  stood  straight  up,  holding  by  his 
shoulder,  and  crying  excitedly, — 

"  Thistles,  uncle,  Scotch  thistles  !  There  are  seven 
of  them,  —  one  for  each  boy !  Oh,  what  a  joke  !  " 
and  she  laughed  so  that  she  plumped  into  the  bottom 
of  the  boat  and  stayed  there  till  the  brilliant  spectacle 
was  quite  gone. 


116 


EIGHT  COUSINS. 


ROSE'S    SACRIFICE.  117 

"  That  was  rather  a  neat  thing,  I  flatter  myself," 
said  Uncle  Mac  in  high  glee  at  the  success  of  his 
iUumination.  "Now,  shall  I  leave  you  on  the  Island 
or  take  you  home  again,  my  good  little  girl?"  he 
added,  lifting  her  up  with  such  a  tone  of  api3robation 
in  his  voice  that  Rose  kissed  him  on  the  spot. 

"  Home,  please,  uncle ;  and  I  thank  you  very,  very 
much  for  the  beautiful  fire-work  you  got  up  for  me. 
I  'm  so  glad  I  saw  it ;  and  I  know  I  shall  dream  about 
it,"  answered  Rose  steadily,  though  a  wistful  glance 
went  toward  the  Island,  now  so  near  that  she  could 
smell  powder  and  see  shadowy  figures  flitting  about. 

Home  they  went ;  and  Rose  fell  asleejD  saying  to 
herself,  "  It  was  harder  than  I  thought,  but  I  'm  glad 
I  did  it,  and  I  truly  don't  want  any  reward  but 
Phebe's  pleasure." 


CHAPTER    XL 

POOR  MAC. 

ROSE'S  sacrifice  was  a  failure  in  one  respect,  for, 
though  the  elders  loved  her  the  better  for  it, 
and  showed  that  they  did,  the  boys  were  not  inspired 
with  the  sudden  respect  which  she  had  hoped  for.  In 
fact,  her  feelings  were  much  hurt  by  overhearing 
Archie  say  that  he  could  n't  see  any  sense  in  it ;  and 
the  Prince  added  another  blow  by  pronouncing  her 
"the  queerest  chicken  ever  seen." 

It  is  apt  to  be  so,  and  it  is  hard  to  bear ;  for,  though 
we  do  not  want  trumpets  blown,  we  do  like  to  have 
our  little  virtues  appreciated,  and  cannot  help  feeling 
disappointed  if  they  are  not. 

A  time  soon  came,  however,  when  Rose,  quite  un- 
consciously, won  not  only  the  respect  of  her  cousins, 
but  their  gratitude  and  affection  likewise. 

Soon  after  the  Island  episode,  Mac  had  a  sun-stroke, 
and  was  very  ill  for  some  time.  It  was  so  sudden  that 
every  one  was  startled,  and  for  some  days  the  boy's 
life  was  in  danger.  He  pulled  through,  however  ;  and 
then,  just  as  the  family  were  rejoicing,  a  new  trouble 
appeared  whict  cast  a  gloom  over  them  all. 


POOR   MAC.  119 

Poor  Mac's  eyes  gave  out ;  and  well  they  might,  for 
he  had  abused  them,  and  never  being  very  strong, 
they  suffered  doubly  now. 

No  one  dared  to  tell  him  the  dark  predictions  of  the 
great  oculist  who  came  to  look  at  them,  and  the  boy 
tried  to  be  j^atient,  thinking  that  a  few  weeks  of  rest 
would  repair  the  overwork  of  several  years. 

He  was  forbidden  to  look  at  a  book,  and  as  that  was 
the  one  thing  he  most  delighted  in,  it  was  a  terrible 
affliction  to  the  Worm.  Every  one  was  very  ready  to 
read  to  him,  and  at  first  the  lads  contended  for  this 
honor.  But  as  week  after  week  went  by,  and  Mac 
was  still  condemned  to  idleness  and  a  darkened  room, 
their  zeal  abated,  and  one  after  the  other  fell  off.  It 
was  hard  for  the  active  fellows,  right  in  the  midst  of 
their  vacation ;  and  nobody  blamed  them  Avhen  they 
contented  themselves  with  brief  calls,  running  of  er- 
rands, and  warm  expressions  of  sympathy. 

The  elders  did  their  best,  but  Uncle  Mac  was  a  busy 
man.  Aunt  Jane's  reading  was  of  a  funereal  sort,  im- 
possible to  listen  to  long,  and  the  other  aunties  were 
all  absorbed  in  their  own  cares,  though  they  supplied 
the  boy  with  every  delicacy  they  could  invent. 

Uncle  Alec  was  a  host  in  himself,  but  he  could  not 
give  all  his  time  to  the  invalid ;  and  if  it  had  not  been 
for  Rose,  the  afflicted  Worm  would  have  fared  ill. 
Her  pleasant  voice  suited  him,  her  patience  was  unfail- 
ing, her  time  of  no  apparent  value,  and  her  eager 
good-will  was  very  comforting. 

Tlie  womanly  power  of  self-devotion  was  strong  in 
the  child,  and  she  remained  faithfully  at  her  post  when 
all  the  rest  dropped  away.     Hour  after  hour  she  sat  in 


120  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

the  dusky  room,  with  one  ray  of  light  on  her  book, 
reading  to  the  boy,  who  lay  with  shaded  eyes  silently 
enjoying  the  only  j^leasure  that  lightened  the  weary 
days.  Sometimes  he  was  peevish  and  hard  to  i:)lease, 
sometimes  he  growled  because  his  reader  could  not 
manage  the  dry  books  he  wished  to  hear,  and  some- 
times he  was  so  despondent  that  her  heart  ached  to 
see  him.  Through  all  these  trials  Rose  persevered, 
using  all  her  little  arts  to  please  him.  When  he  fret- 
ted, she  was  patient ;  when  he  growled,  she  ploughed 
bravely  through  the  hard  pages,  —  not  dry  to  her  in 
one  sense,  for  quiet  tears  dropped  on  them  now  and 
then ;  and  when  Mac  fell  into  a  despairing  mood,  she 
comforted  him  with  every  hopeful  word  she  dared  to 
offer. 

He  said  little,  but  she  knew  he  was  grateful,  for  she 
suited  hira  better  than  any  one  else.  If  she  w^as  late, 
he  was  impatient ;  when  she  had  to  go,  he  seemed  for- 
lorn ;  and  when  the  tired  head  ached  worst,  she  could 
always  soothe  him  to  sleej),  crooning  the  old  songs  her 
father  used  to  love. 

"  I  don't  know  what  I  should  do  without  that  child," 
Aunt  Jane  often  said. 

"  She's  worth  all  those  racketing  fellows  put  to- 
gether," Mac  would  add,  fumbling  about  to  discover 
if  the  little  chair  was  ready  for  her  coming. 

That  was  the  sort  of  reward  Rose  liked,  the  thanks 
that  cheered  her;  and  whenever  she  grew  very  tired, 
one  look  at  the  green  shade,  the  curly  head  so  restless 
on  the  pillow,  and  the  poor  groping  hands,  touched 
her  tender  heart  and  put  new  spirit  into  the  weary 
voice. 


POOR    MAC.  121 

She  did  not  know  how  much  she  was  learning,  both 
from  the  books  she  read  and  the  daily  sacrifices  she 
made.  Stories  and  poetry  were  her  delight,  but  Mac 
did  not  care  for  them ;  and  since  his  favorite  Greeks 
and  Romans  were  forbidden,  he  satisfied  himself  with 
travels,  biographies,  and  the  history  of  great  inventions 
or  discoveries.  Rose  despised  this  taste  at  first,  but 
soon  got  interested  in  Livingstone's  adventures,  Hob- 
son's  stirring  life  in  India,  and  the  brave  trials  and 
triumj^hs  of  Watt  and  Arkwright,  Fulton,  and  "  Pal- 
issy,  the  Potter."  The  true,  strong  books  helped  the 
dreamy  girl ;  her  faithful  service  and  sweet  patience 
touched  and  won  the  boy;  and  long  afterward  both 
learned  to  see  how  useful  those  seemingly  hard  and 
weary  hours  had  been  to  them. 

One  bright  morning,  as  Rose  sat  down  to  begin  a 
fat  volume  entitled  "  History  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion," expecting  to  come  to  great  grief  over  the  long 
names,  Mac,  who  was  lumbering  about  the  room  like 
a  blind  bear,  stopped  her  by  asking  abruptly, — 

"What  day  of  the  month  is  it?" 

"  The  seventh  of  August,  I  believe." 

"  More  than  half  my  vacation  gone,  and  I  've  only 
had  a  week  of  it !  I  call  that  hard,"  and  he  groaned 
dismally. 

"  So  it  is ;  but  there  is  more  to  come,  and  you  may 
be  able  to  enjoy  that." 

"  Maij  be  able !  I  will  be  able !  Does  that  old 
noodle  think  I  'm  going  to  stay  stived  up  here  much 
longer  ?  " 

"  I  guess  he  does,  unless  your  eyes  get  on  faster  than 
they  have  yet" 
6 


122  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Has  he  said  any  thing  more  lately  ?  " 

"I  have  n't  seen  him,  you  know.  Shall  I  begin? 
—  this  looks  rather  nice." 

"Read  away;  it's  all  one  to  me."  And  Mac  cast 
himself  down  upon  the  old  lounge,  w^here  his  heavy 
head  felt  easiest. 

Rose  began  with  great  spirit,  and  kept  on  gallantly 
for  a  couple  of  chapters,  getting  over  the  unpronounce- 
able names  with  unexpected  success,  she  thought,  for 
her  listener  did  not  correct  her  once,  and  lay  so  still 
she  fancied  he  was  deeply  interested.  All  of  a  sudden 
she  was  arrested  in  the  middle  of  a  fine  paragraph  by 
Mac,  who  sat  bolt  upright,  brought  both  feet  down 
with  a  thump,  and  said,  in  a  rough,  excited  tone,  — 

"  Stop  !  I  don't  hear  a  word,  and  you  may  as  well 
save  your  breath  to  answer  my  question." 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  asked  Rose,  looking  uneasy,  for  she 
had  something  on  her  mind,  and  feared  that  he  sus- 
pected what  it  was.  His  next  words  proved  that  she 
was  right. 

"Now  look  here,  I  want  to  know  something,  and 
you  've  got  to  tell  me." 

"  Please,  don't,  —  "  began  Rose,  beseechingly. 

"  You  must^  or  I  '11  pull  off  this  shade  and  stare  at 
the  sun  as  hard  as  ever  I  can  stare.  Come  now ! "  and 
he  half  rose,  as  if  ready  to  execute  the  threat. 

"  I  will !  oh,  I  will  tell,  if  I  know !  But  don't  be 
reckless  and  do  any  thing  so  crazy  as  that,"  cried  Rose, 
in  great  distress. 

"  Very  well ;  then  listen,  and  don't  dodge,  as  every 
one  else  does.  Did  n't  the  doctor  think  my  eyes  worse 
the  last  time  he  came?     Mother  won't  say,  but  you 


POOR    MAC.  123 

"  I  believe  he  did,"  faltered  Rose. 

"  I  thought  so  !  Did  he  say  I  should  be  able  to  go 
to  school  when  it  begins?" 

"  No,  Mac,"  very  low. 

"Ah!" 

That  was  all,  but  Rose  saw  her  cousin  set  his  lips 
together  and  take  a  long  breath,  as  if  she  had  hit  him 
hard.  He  bore  the  disappointment  bravely,  however, 
and  asked  quite  steadily  in  a  minute,  — 

"  How  soon  does  he  think  I  can  study  again  ?  " 

It  was  so  hard  to  answer  that !  Yet  Rose  knew  she 
must,  for  Aunt  Jane  had  declared  she  could  not  do  it, 
and  Uncle  Mac  had  begged  her  to  break  the  truth  to 
the  poor  lad. 

"  Not  for  a  good  many  months." 

"How  many?"  he  asked  with  a  pathetic  sort  of 
gruffness. 

"A  year,  j^erhaps." 

"A  whole  year!  Why,  I  expected  to  be  ready  for 
college  by  that  time."  And,  pnshing  up  the  shade, 
Mac  stared  at  her  with  startled  eyes,  that  soon  blinked 
and  fell  before  the  one  ray  of  light. 

"  Plenty  of  time  for  that ;  you  must  be  patient  now, 
and  get  them  thoronghly  well,  or  they  will  trouble 
you  again  when  it  will  be  harder  to  spare  them,"  she 
said,  with  tears  in  her  own  eyes. 

"  I  won't  do  it !  I  loill  study  and  get  through  some- 
how. It 's  all  humbug  about  taking  care  so  long. 
These  doctors  like  to  keep  hold  of  a  fellow  if  they 
can.  But  I  won't  stand  it, — I  vow  I  won't!"  and 
he  banged  his  fist  down  on  the  unoffending  ])illow 
as  if  he  were  pommelling  the  hard-hearted  doctor. 


124  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Now,  Mac,  listen  to  me,"  Rose  said  very  earnestly, 
though  her  voice  shook  a  little  and  her  heart  ached. 
"  You  know  you  have  hurt  your  eyes  reading  by  fire- 
light and  in  the  dusk,  and  sitting  up  late,  nnd  now 
you  '11  have  to  pay  for  it  ;  the  doctor  said  so.  You 
7nust  be  careful,  and  do  as  he  tells  you,  or  you  will 
be  — blind." 

"  No ! " 

"  Yes,  it  is  true,  and  he  wanted  us  to  tell  you  that 
nothing  but  entire  rest  would  cure  you.  I  know  it 's 
dreadfully  hard,  but  we'll  all  help  you;  I'll  read  all 
day  long,  and  lead  you,  and  wait  upon  you,  and  try 
to  make  it  easier  —  " 

She  stopped  there,  for  it  was  evident  that  he  did 
not  hear  a  sound  ;  the  word  "  blind  "  seemed  to  have 
knocked  him  down,  for  he  had  buried  his  face  in  the 
pillow,  and  lay.  so  still  that  Rose  was  frightened. 
She  sat  motionless  for  many  minutes,  longing  to 
comfort  him,  but  not  knowing  how,  and  wishing 
Uncle  Alec  would  come,  for  he  had  promised  to  tell 
Mac. 

Presently,  a  sort  of  choking  sound  came  out  of  the 
pillow,  and  went  straight  to  her  heart,  —  the  most 
pathetic  sob  she  ever  heard,  for,  though  it  was  the 
most  natural  means  of  relief,  the  poor  fellow  must 
not  indulge  in  it  because  of  the  afflicted  eyes.  The 
"  French  Revolution  "  tumbled  out  of  her  lap,  and, 
running  to  the  sofa,  she  knelt  down  by  it,  saying,  with 
the  motherly  sort  of  tenderness  girls  feel  for  any 
Borrowing  creature,  — 

"  Oh,  my  dear,  you  must  n't  cry  !  It  is  so  bad  for 
your  poor  eyes.     Take   your   head   out   of   that   hot 


POOR    MAC. 


125 


pillow,  and  let  me  cool  it.  I  don't  wonder  you  feel 
so,  but  plea&e  don't  cry.  I  '11  cry  for  you  ;  it  won't 
hurt  me." 


nUXXIXG  TO  THE  SOFA,  SHE  KNELT  DOWN  HY  IT. 

As  she  Spoke,  she  pulled  away  the  cushion  with 
gentle  force,  and  saw  the  i^reen  shade  all  crushed 
and  stained   with  the  few  hot  tears   that   told   how 


126  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

bitter  the  disapiDointment  had  been.  Mac  felt  her 
symj^athy,  but,  being  a  boy,  did  not  thank  her  for  it ; 
only  sat  up  with  a  jerk,  saying,  as  he  tried  to  rub 
away  the  tell-tale  drops  with  the  sleeve  of  his  jacket : 
"Don't  bother;  weak  eyes  always  water.  I'm  all 
right." 

But  Rose  cried  out,  and  caught  his  arm:  "Don't 
touch  them  with  that  rough  woollen  stuff !  Lie  down 
and  let  me  bathe  them,  there  's  a  dear  boy  ;  then  there 
will  be  no  harm  done." 

"They  do  smart  confoundedly.  I  say,  don't  you 
tell  the  other  fellows  that  I  made  a  baby  of  myself, 
will  you  ? "  he  added,  yielding  with  a  sigh  to  the 
orders  of  his  nurse,  who  had  flown  for  the  eye-wash 
and  linen  cambric  handkerchief. 

"  Of  course  I  won't ;  but  any  one  would  be  upset 
at  the  idea  of  being  —  well  —  troubled  in  this  way. 
I  'm  sure  you  bear  it  splendidly,  and  you  know  it 
is  n't  half  so  bad  when  you  get  used  to  it.  Besides, 
it  is  only  for  a  time,  and  you  can  do  lots  of  pleasant 
things  if  you  can't  study.  You'll  have  to  wear  blue 
goggles,  perhaps;  won't  that  be  funny?" 

And  while  she  was  pouring  out  all  the  comfortable 
w^ords  she  could  tliink  of,  Rose  was  softly  bathing  the 
eyes  and  dabbing  the  hot  foreliead  with  lavender- 
Avater,  as  her  patient  lay  quiet  with  a  look  on  his 
face  that  grieved  her  sadly. 

"  Homer  was  blind,  and  so  was  Milton,  and  they 
did  something  to  be  remembered  by,  in  spite  of  it," 
he  said,  as  if  to  himself,  in  a  solemn  tone,  for  even 
the  blue  goggles  did  not  bring  a  smile. 

"  Papa  had  a  picture  of  Milton  and  his  daughters 


POOR    MAC.  127 

writing  for  him.  It  was  a  very  sweet  picture,  I 
thought,"  observed  Rose  in  a  serious  voice,  trying 
to  meet  the  sufferer  on  his  own  ground. 

"  PerhajDS  I  could  study  if  some  one  read  and  did 
the  eye  part.  Do  you  suppose  I  could,  by  and  by  ?  " 
he  asked,  with  a  sudden  ray  of  hope. 

"  I  dare  say,  if  your  head  is  strong  enough.  This 
sun-stroke,  you  know,  is  what  upset  you,  and  your 
brains  need  rest,  the  doctor  says." 

"  I  '11  have  a  talk  with  the  old  fellow  next  time  he 
comes,  and  find  out  just  what  I  Tnay  do ;  then  I  shall 
know  where  I  am.  What  a  fool  I  was  that  day  to  be 
stewing  my  brains  and  letting  the  sun  glare  on  my 
book  till  the  letters  danced  before  me  !  I  see  'em 
now  when  I  shut  my  eyes  ;  black  balls  bobbing  round, 
and  stars  and  all  sorts  of  queer  things.  Wonder  if 
all  blind  people  do?" 

"  Don't  think  about  them ;  I  '11  go  on  reading,  shall 
I?  We  shall  come  to  the  exciting  part  soon,  and 
then  you'll  forget  all  this,"  suggested  Rose. 

"  No,  I  never  shall  forget.  Hang  the  old  '  Revolu- 
tion ! '  I  don't  w^ant  to  hear  another  word  of  it.  My 
head  aches,  and  I'm  hot.  Oh,  wouldn't  I  like  to  go 
for  a  pull  in  the  '  Stormy  Petrel ! '  "  and  poor  Mac 
tossed  about  as  if  he  did  not  know  what  to  do  with 
himself. 

"  Let  me  sing,  and  perhaps  you  '11  drop  off ;  then 
the  day  will  seem  shorter,"  said  Rose,  taking  up  a 
fan  and  sitting  down  beside  him. 

"Perhaps  I  shall;  I  didn't  sleep  much  last  night, 
and  when  I  did  I  dreamed  like  fun.  See  here,  you 
tell  the  people  that  I  know,  and  it's  all  right,  and 


128  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

I  don't  want  them  to  talk  about  it  or  howl  over  me. 
That 's  all ;  now  drone  away,  and  I  '11  try  to  sleep. 
Wish  I  could  for  a  year,  and  wake  ujd  cured." 

"  Oh,  I  wish,  I  wish  you  could ! " 

Rose  said  it  so  fervently,  that  Mac  was  moved  to 
grope  for  her  apron  and  hold  on  to  a  corner  of  it,  as 
if  it  was  comfortable  to  feel  her  near  him.  But  all 
he  said  was, — 

"  You  are  a  good  little  soul.  Rosy.  Give  us  '  The 
Birks;'that  is  a  drowsy  one  that  always  sends  me 
off." 

Quite  contented  with  this  small  return  for  all  her 
sympathy,  Rose  waved  her  fan  and  sang,  in  a  dreamy 
tone,  the  pretty  Scotch  air,  the  burden  of  which  is,  — 

"  Bonny  lassie,  will  ye  gang;,  will  ye  gang 
To  the  Birks  of  Aberfeldie  ?  " 

Whether  the  lassie  went  or  not  I  cannot  say,  but 
the  laddie  was  off  to  the  land  of  Nod  in  about  ten 
minutes,  quite  worn  out  with  hearing  the  bad  tidings 
and  the  effort  to  bear  them  manfully. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

''THE    OTHER    FELLOWS.'' 

ROSE  did  tell  "the  people"  what  had  passed, 
and  no  one  "howled"  over  Mac,  or  said  a 
word  to  trouble  him.  He  had  his  talk  with  the 
doctor,  and  got  very  little  comfort  out  of  it,  for  he 
found  that  "just  what  he  might  do"  was  nothing  at 
all;  though  the  prospect  of  some  study  by  and  by, 
if  all  went  well,  gave  him  courage  to  bear  the  woes 
of  the  present.  Having  made  up  his  mind  to  this, 
he  behaved  so  well  that  every  one  was  astonished, 
never  having  suspected  so  much  manliness  in  the 
quiet  Worm. 

The  boys  were  much  impressed,  both  by  the  great- 
ness of  the  affliction  which  hung  over  him  and  by 
his  Avay  of  bearing  it.  They  were  ^ery  good  to  him, 
but  not  always  particularly  wise  in  their  attempts  to 
cheer  and  amuse  ;  and  Rose  often  found  him  much 
downcast  after  a  visit  of  condolence  from  the  Clan. 
She  still  kept  her  place  as  head-nurse  and  chief-reader, 
though  the  boys  did  their  best  in  an  irregular  sort  of 
Avay.  They  were  rather  taken  aback  sometimes  at 
finding  Rose's  services  preferred  to  theirs,  and  pri- 
vately confided  to  one  another  that  "  Old  Mac  was 
6*  I 


130  EIGHT    GOUSINS. 

getting  fond  of  being  molly-coddled."  But  they  could 
not  help  seeing  how  useful  she  was,  and  owning  that 
she  alone  had  remained  faithful, — a  fact  which  caused 
some  of  them  much  secret  compunction  now  and 
then. 

Rose  felt  that  she  ruled  in  that  room,  if  nowhere 
else,  for  Aunt  Jane  left  a  great  deal  to  her,  finding 
that  her  experience  with  her  invalid  father  fitted  her 
for  a  nurse,  and  in  a  case  like  this  her  youth  was  an 
advantage  rather  than  a  drawback.  Mac  soon,  came 
to  think  that  no  one  could  take  care  of  him  so  well 
as  Rose,  and  Rose  soon  grew  fond  of  her  patient, 
though- at  first  she  had  considered  this  cousin  the  least 
attractive  of  the  seven.  He  was  not  polite  and  sensi- 
ble like  Archie,  nor  gay  and  handsome  like  Prince 
Charlie,  nor  neat  and  obliging  like  Steve,  nor  amusing 
like  the  "Brats,"  nor  confiding  and  affectionate  like 
little  Jamie.  He  was  rough,  absent-minded,  careless, 
and  awkward,  rather  i:)riggish,  and  not  at  all  agreeable 
to  a  dainty,  beauty-loving  girl  like  Rose. 

But  when  his  trouble  came  upon  him,  she  discov- 
ered many  good  things  in  this  cousin  of  hers,  and 
learned  not  only  to  pity  but  to  respect  and  love  the 
poor  Worm,  who  tried  to  be  patient,  brave,  and  cheer- 
ful, and  found  it  a  harder  task  than  any  one  guessed, 
except  the  little  nurse,  who  saw  him  in  his  gloomiest 
moods.  She  soon  came  to  think  that  his  friends  did 
not  appreciate  him,  and  upon  one  occasion  was  moved 
to  free  her  mind  in  a  way  that  made  a  deep  impression 
on  the  boys. 

Vacation  was  almost  over,  and  the  time  drawing  near 
when  Mac  would  be  left  outside  the  happy  school-world 


''THE    OTHER    FELLOWS.''  131 

which  he  so  much  enjoyed.  This  made  him  rather 
low  in  his  mind,  and  his  cousins  exerted  themselves 
to  cheer  him  up,  especially  one  afternoon  when  a  spasm 
of  devotion  seemed  to  seize  them  all.  Jamie  trudged 
down  the  hill  with  a  basket  of  blackberries  which  he 
had  "  picked  all  his  ownself,"  as  his  scratched  fingers 
and  stained  lips  j^hiinly  testified.  Will  and  Geordie 
brought  their  jDuppies  to  beguile  the  weary  hours,  and 
the  three  elder  lads-called  to  discuss  base-ball,  cricket, 
and  kindred  subjects,  eminently  fitted  to  remind  the 
invalid  of  his  privations. 

Rose  had  gone  to  drive  with  Uncle  Alec,  who  de- 
clared she  was  getting  as  pale  as  a  potato  sprout,  living 
so  much  in  a  dark  room.  But  her  thoughts  were  with 
her  boy  all  the  while,  and  she  ran  up  to  him  the  mo- 
ment she  returned,  to  find  things  in  a  fine  state  of  con- 
fusion. 

With  the  best  intentions  in  life,  the  lads  had  done 
more  harm  than  good,  and  the  spectacle  that  met 
Nurse  Rose's  eye  was  a  trying  one.  The  puppies 
were  yelping,  the  small  boys  romping,  and  the  big 
boys  all  talking  at  once ;  the  curtains  were  up,  the 
room  close,  berries  scattered  freely  about,  Mac's  shade 
half  off,  his  cheeks  flushed,  his  temper  rufiled,  and  his 
voice  loudest  of  all  as  he  disputed  hotly  with  Steve 
about  lending  certain  treasured  books  which  he  could 
no  longer  use. 

Now  Rose  considered  this  her  special  kingdom,  and 
came  down  upon  the  invaders  with  an  energy  which 
amazed  them  and  quelled  the  riot  at  once.  They  had 
never  seen  her  roused  before,  and  the  effect  was  tre- 
mendous ;  also  comical,  for  she  drove  the  whole  flock 


132 


EIGHT  COUSINS, 


''THE    OTHER    FELLOW Sr  1-33 

of  boys  out  of  the  room  like  an  indignant  little  hen 
defending  her  brood.  They  all  went  as  meekly  as 
sheep  ;  the  small  lads  fled  from  the  house  precipitately, 
but  the  three  elder  ones  only  retired  to  the  next  room, 
and  remained  there  hojDing  for  a  chance  to  exj^lain  and 
apologize,  and  so  appease  the  irate  young  lady,  who 
had  suddenly  turned  the  tables  and  clattered  them 
about  their  ears. 

As  they  waited,  they  observed  her  proceedings 
through  the  half-open  door,  and  commented  upon 
them  briefly  but  expressively,  feeling  quite  bowed 
down  with  remorse  at  the  harm  they  had  innocently 
done. 

"  She 's  put  the  room  to  rights  in  a  jiffy.  What 
jacks  we  were  to  let  those  dogs  in  and  kick  up  such  a 
roAv,"  observed  Steve,  after  a  prolonged  peep. 

"  The  poor  old  A¥orm  turns  as  if  she  was  treading 
on  him  instead  of  cuddling  him  like  a  pussy  cat. 
Is  n't  he  cross,  though  ? "  added  Charlie,  as  Mac  was 
heard  growling  about  his  "  confounded  head." 

"  She  will  manage  him ;  but  it's  mean  in  us  to  rum- 
])le  him  up  and  then  leave  her  to  smooth  him  down. 
I  'd  go  and  help,  but  I  don't  know  how,"  said  Archie, 
looking  much  depressed,  for  he  was  a  conscientious 
fellow,  and  blamed  himself  for  his  want  of  thought. 

"  No  more  do  I.  Odd,  is  n't  it,  what  a  knack  women 
have  for  taking  care  of  sick  folks?"  and  Charlie  fell 
a -musing  over  this  undeniable  fact. 

"  She  has  been  ever  so  good  to  Mac,"  began  Steve, 
in  a  self-reproachful  tone. 

"  Better  than  his  own  brother,  hey  ?  "  cut  in  Archie, 
finding  relief  for  his  own  regret  in  the  delinquencies 
of  another. 


134  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Well,  you  need  n't  preach  ;  you  did  n't  any  of  you 
do  any  more,  and  you  might  have,  for  Mac  likes  you 
better  than  he  does  me.  I  always  fret  him,  he  says, 
and  it  is  n't  my  fault  if  I  am  a  quiddle,"  protested 
Steve,  in  self-defence. 

"  We  have  all  been  selfish  and  neglected  him,  so  we 
won't  fight  about  it,  but  try  and  do  better,"  said 
Archie,  generously  taking  more  than  his  share  of 
blame,  for  he  had  been  less  inattentive  than  either  of 
the  others. 

"  Rose  has  stood  by  him  like  a  good  one,  and  it 's 
no  wonder  he  likes  to  have  her  round  best.  I  should 
myself  if  I  was  down  on  my  luck  as  he  is,"  put  in 
Charlie,  feeling  that  he  really  had  not  done  "  the  little 
thing  "  justice. 

"I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  boys, — we  haven't  been 
half  good  enough  to  Rose,  and  we  've  got  to  make  it 
up  to  her  somehow,"  said  Archie,  who  had  a  very 
manly  sense  of  honor  about  paying  his  debts,  even  to 
a  girl. 

"I'm  awfully  sorry  I  made  fun  of  her  doll  Avhen 
Jamie  lugged  it  out ;  and  I  called  her  '  baby  bunting ' 
when  she  cried  over  the  dead  kitten.  Girls  are  such 
geese  sometimes,  I  can't  help  it,"  said  Steve,  confess- 
ing his  transgressions  handsomely,  and  feeling  quite 
ready  to  atone  for  them  if  he  only  knew  how. 

"  I  '11  go  down  on  my  knees  and  beg  her  pardon  for 
treating  her  as  if  she  was  a  child.  Don't  it  make  her 
mad,  though?  Come  to  think  of  it,  she's  only  two 
years  or  so  younger  than  I  am.  But  she  is  so  small 
and  pretty,  she  always  seems  like  a  dolly  to  me,"  and 
the  Prince  looked  down  from  his  lofty  height  of  five 


''THE    OTHER    FELLOWS.''  135 

feet    five    as   if    Rose   was   indeed   a   pygmy  beside 
him, 

"  That  dolly  has  got  a  real  good  little  heart,  and  a 
bright  mind  of  her  own,  you  'd  better  believe.  Mac 
says  she  understands  some  things  quicker  than  he  can, 
and  mother  thinks  she  is  an  uncommonly  nice  girl, 
though  she  don't  know  all  creation.  You  needn't  put 
on  airs,  Charlie,  though  you  are  a  tall  one,  for  Rose 
likes  Archie  better  than  you ;  she  said  she  did  because 
he  treated  her  respectfully." 

"  Steve  looks  as  fierce  as  a  game-cock  ;  but  don't  you 
get  excited,  my  son,  for  it  won't  do  a  bit  of  good.  Of 
course,  everybody  likes  the  Chief  best ;  they  ought  to, 
and  I'll  punch  their  heads  if  they  don't.  So  calm 
yourself.  Dandy,  and  mend  your  own  manners  before 
you  come  down  on  other  people's." 

Thus  the  Prince  with  great  dignity  and  perfect  good 
nature,  while  Archie  looked  modestly  gratified  with 
the  flattering  oj^inions  of  his  kinsfolk,  and  Steve  sub- 
sided, feeling  he  had  done  his  duty  as  a  cousin  and  a 
brother.  A  pause  ensued,  during  which  Aunt  Jane 
ai^peared  in  the  other  room,  accompanied  by  a  tea-tray 
sumptuously  spread,  and  prepared  to  feed  her  big  nest- 
ling, as  that  was  a  task  she  allowed  no  one  to  share 
with  her. 

"  If  you  have  a  minute  to  spare  before  you  go,  child, 
I  wish  you  'd  just  make  Mac  a  fresh  shade ;  this  has 
got  a  berry  stain  on  it,  and  he  must  be  tidy,  for  he  is 
to  go  out  to-morrow  if  it  is  a  cloudy  day,"  said  Mrs. 
Jane,  spreading  toast  in  a  stately  manner,  while  Mac 
slopped  his  tea  about  Avithout  receiving  a  word  of  re- 
proof. 


136  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Yes,  iiuiit,""  answered  Rose,  so  meekly  that  the 
boys  CDuld  hardly  believe  it  could  be  the  same  voice 
which  had  issued  the  stern  command,  "  Out  of  this 
room,  every  one  of  you !  "  not  very  long  ago. 

They  had  not  time  to  retire,  without  unseemly  haste, 
before  she  walked  into  the  parlor  and  sat  down  at  the 
w^ork-table  without  a  word.  It  was  funny  to  see  the 
look  the  three  tall  lads  cast  at  the  little  person  sedately 
threading  a  needle  with  green  silk.  They  all  wanted 
to  say  something  expressive  of  repentance,  but  no  one 
knew  how  to  begin,  and  it  was  evident,  from  the  prim 
expression  of  Rose's  face,  that  she  intended  to  stand 
upon  her  dignity  till  they  had  properly  abased  them- 
selves. The  i^ause  was  becoming  very  awkward,  when 
Charlie,  who  possessed  all  the  persuasive  arts  of  a  born 
scapegrace,  went  slowly  down  upon  his  knees  before 
her,  beat  his  breast,  and  said,  in  a  heart-broken  tone,  — 

"Please  forgive  me  this  time,  and  I'll  never  do 
so  any  more." 

It  was  very  hard  to  keep  sober,  but  Rose  managed 
it,  and  answered  gravely,  — 

"  It  is  Mac's  pardon  you  should  ask,  not  mine,  for 
you  have  n't  hurt  me,  and  I  should  n't  wonder  if  you 
had  him  a  great  deal,  with  all  that  light  and  racket, 
and  talk  about  things  that  only  worry  him." 

"  Do  you  really  think  we  've  hurt  him,  cousin  ? " 
asked  Archie,  with  a  troubled  look,  while  Charlie 
settled  down  in  a  remorseful  heap  among  the  table 
legs. 

"  Yes,  I  do,  for  he  has  got  a  raging  headache,  and 
his  eyes  are  as  red  as  —  as  this  emery  bag,"  answered 
Rose,  solemnly  plunging  her  needle  into  a  fat  flannel 
strawberry. 


''THE    OTHER    FELLOWS^  137 

Steve  tore  his  hair,  metaphorically  speaking,  for 
he  clutched  his  cherished  top-knot  and  wildly  dishev- 
elled it,  as  if  that  was  the  heaviest  penance  he  could 
inflict  upon  himself  at  such  short  notice.  Charlie  laid 
himself  out  flat,  melodramatically  begging  some  one 
to  take  him  away  and  hang  him ;  but  Archie,  who 
felt  worst  of  all,  said  nothing  except  to  vow  within 
himself  that  he  would  read  to  Mac  till  his  own  eyes 
were  as  red  as  a  dozen  emery  bags  combined. 

Seeing  the  wholesome  effects  of  her  treatment  upon 
these  culprits,  Rose  felt  that  she  might  relent  and 
allow  them  a  gleam  of  hope.  She  found  it  impossible 
to  help  trampling  upon  the  prostrate  Prince  a  little, 
in  words  at  least,  for  he  had  hurt  her  feelings  oftener 
than  he  knew ;  so  she  gave  him  a  thimble-pie  on  the 
top  of  his  head,  and  said,  with  the  air  of  an  infinitely 
superior  being, — 

"  Don't  be  silly,  but  get  up,  and  I  '11  tell  you  some- 
thing much  better  to  do  than  sprawling  on  the  floor 
and  getting  all  over  lint." 

Charlie  obediently  sat  himself  upon  a  hassock  at  her 
feet ;  the  other  sinners  drew  near  to  catch  the  words 
of  wisdom  about  to  fall  from  her  lips,  and  Rose,  soft- 
ened by  this  gratifying  humility,  addressed  them  in 
her  most  maternal  tone. 

"  Now,  boys,  if  you  really  want  to  be  good  to  Mac, 
you  can  do  it  in  this  way.  Don't  keep  talking  about 
things  he  -can't  do,  or  go  and  tell  what  fun  you  have 
had  batting  your  ridiculous  balls  about.  Get  some 
nice  book  and  read  quietly ;  cheer  him  up  about 
school,  and  offer  to  help  him  study  by  and  by  ;  you 
can  do  that  better  than  I,  because  I'm  only  a  girl, 


138  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

and  don't  learn  Greek  and  Latin  and  all  sorts  of 
headachy  stuff." 

"  Yes,  but  you  can  do  heaps  of  things  better  than 
we  can  ;  you  've  proved  that,"  said  Archie,  with  r.n 
approving  look  that  delighted  Rose,  though  she  could 
not  resist  giving  Charlie  one  more  rebuke,  by  saying, 
with  a  little  bridling  up  of  the  head,  and  a  curl  of  the 
lip  that  wanted  to  smile  instead, — 

"I'm  glad  you  think  so,  though  I  am  a  'queer 
chicken.' " 

This  scathing  remark  caused  the  Prince  to  hide  his 
face  for  shame,  and  Steve  to  erect  his  head  in  the 
proud  consciousness  that  this  shot  was  not  meant  for 
him.  Archie  laughed,  and  Rose,  seeing  a  merry  blue 
eye  winking  at  her  from  behind  two  brown  hands, 
gave  Charlie's  ear  a  friendly  tweak,  and  extended  the 
olive-branch  of  peace. 

"  Now  we  '11  all  be  good,  and  plan  nice  things  for 
poor  Mac,"  she  said,  smiling  so  graciously  that  the 
boys  felt  as  if  the  sun  had  suddenly  burst  out  from 
behind  a  heavy  cloud  and  was  shining  with  great 
brilliancy. 

The  storm  had  cleared  the  air,  and  quite  a  heavenly 
calm  succeeded,  during  which  plans  of  a  most  varied 
and  surprising  sort  were  laid,  for  every  one  burned 
to  make  noble  sacrifices  upon  the  shrine  of  "poor 
Mac,'*  and  Rose  was  the  guiding  star  to  whom  the 
others  looked  with  most  gratifying  submission.  Of 
course,  this  elevated  state  of  things  could  not  endure 
long,  but  it  was  very  nice  while  it  lasted,  and  left  an 
excellent  effect  upon  the  minds  of  all  when  the  first 
ardor  had  subsided. 


♦ '  THE   0  THER    FELL  0  WS. "  139 

"  There,  that 's  ready  for  to-morrow,  and  I  do  hojje 
it  will  be  cloudy,"  said  Rose,  as  she  finished  off 
the  new  shade,  the  progress  of  which  the  boys  had 
watched  with  interest. 

"  I  'd  bespoken  an  extra  sunny  day,  but  I  'II  tell  the 
clerk  of  the  weather  to  change  it.  lie  's  an  obliging 
fellow,  and  he  '11  attend  to  it ;  so  make  yourself  easy," 
said  Charlie,  who  had  become  quite  perky  again. 

"It  is  very  easy  for  you  to  joke,  but  how  would 
you  like  to  wear  a  blinder  like  that  for  weeks  and 
weeks,  sir?"  and  Rose  quenched  his  rising  spirits 
by  slipping  the  shade  over  his  eyes,  as  he  still  sat 
on  the  cushion  at  her  feet. 

"It's  horrid!  Take  it  off,  take  it  off!  I  don't 
wonder  the  poor  old  boy  has  the  blues  with  a  thing 
like  that  on ; "  and  Charlie  sat  looking  at  what  seemed 
to  him  an  instrument  of  torture,  with  such  a  sober  face 
that  Rose  took  it  gently  away,  and  went  in  to  bid 
Mac  good-night. 

"  I  shall  go  home  with  her,  for  it  is  getting  dark- 
ish, and  she  is  rather  timid,"  said  Archie,  forgetting 
that  he  had  often  laughed  at  this  very  timidity. 

"  I  think  I  might,  for  she 's  taking  care  of  my 
brother,"  put  in  Steve,  asserting  his  rights. 

"  Let 's  all  go ;  that  wdll  please  her,"  proposed 
Charlie,  with  a  burst  of  gallantry  which  electrified 
his  mates. 

"We  will!"  they- said  with  one  voice,  and  they 
did,  to  Rose's  great  surprise  and  secret  contentment ; 
though  Archie  had  all  the  care  of  her,  for  the  other 
two  were  leaping  fences,  running  races,  and  having 
wrestling  matches  all  the  way  doAvn. 


140  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

They  composed  themselves  on  reaching  the  door, 
however  ;  shook  hands  cordially  all  romid,  made  their 
best  bows,  and  retired  with  great  elegance  and  dig 
nity,  leaving  Rose  to  say  to  herself,  with  girlish 
satisfaction,  as  she  went  in, — 

"  Now,  that  is  the  way  I  like  to  be  treated." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

COSEY  CORNER. 

VACATION  was  over,  the  boys  went  back  to 
school,  and  poor  Mac  was  left  lamenting.  He 
was  out  of  the  darkened  room  now,  and  jDromoted  to 
blue  goggles,  through  which  he  took  a  gloomy  view  of 
life,  as  might  have  been  expected ;  for  there  was  noth- 
ing he  could  do  but  wander  about,  and  try  to  amuse 
himself  without  using  his  eyes.  Any  one  who  has 
ever  been  condemned  to  that  sort  of  idleness  knows 
how  irksome  it  is,  and  can  understand  the  state  of 
mind  which  caused  Mac  to  say  to  Rose  in  a  desperate 
tone  one  day,  — 

"  Look  here,  if  you  don't  invent  some  new  employ- 
ment or  amusement  for  me,  I  shall  knock  myself  on 
the  head  as  sure  as  you  live." 

Rose  flew  to  Uncle  Alec  for  advice,  and  he  ordered 
both  patient  and  nurse  to  the  mountains  for  a  month, 
with  Aunt  Jessie  and  Jamie  as  escort.  Pokey  and  her 
mother  joined  the  party,  and  one  bright  September 
morning  six  very  happy-looking  people  were  aboard 
the  express  train  for  Portland,  —  two  smiling  mammas, 
laden  with  luncheon  baskets  and  wraps ;  a  pretty 
young  girl  with  a  bag  of  books  on  her  arm ;  a  tall, 
thin  lad  with  his  hat  over  his  eyes ;  and  two  small 


142  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

cliiklren,  who  sat  with  their  short  legs  straight  out 
before  them,  and  their  chubby  faces  beaming  with 
the  first  speechless   delight  of  "  truly  travelling," 

An  especially  splendid  sunset  seemed  to  have  been 
prepared  to  welcome  them  when,  after  a  long  day's 
journey,  they  drove  into  a  wide,  green  door-yard, 
where  a  white  colt,  a  red  cow,  two  cats,  four  kittens, 
many  hens,  and  a  dozen  people,  old  and  young,  were 
gayly  disporting  themselves.  Every  one  nodded  and 
smiled  in  the  friendliest  manner,  and  a  lively  old  lady 
kissed  the  new-comers  all  round,  as  she  said  heart- 

iiy,- 

"Well,  now,  I'm  proper  glad  to  see  you!  Come 
right  in  and  rest,  and  we'll  have  tea  in  less  than  no 
time,  for  you  must  be  tired.  Lizzie,  you  show  the 
folks  upstairs;  Kitty,  you  fly  round  and  help  father 
in  with  the  trunks ;  and  Jenny  and  I  will  have  the 
table  all  ready  by  the  time  you  come  down.  Bless 
the  dears,  they  want  to  go  see  the  pussies,  and  so  they 
shall ! " 

The  three  pretty  daughters  did  "  fly  round,"  and 
every  one  felt  at  home  at  once,  all  were  so  hospitable 
and  kind.  Aunt  Jessie  had  raptures  over  the  home 
made  carpets,  quilts,  and  quaint  furniture ;  Rose  could 
not  keep  away  from  the  windows,  for  each  framed  a 
lovely  picture ;  and  the  little  folks  made  friends  at 
once  with  the  other  children,  who  filled  their  arms 
with  chickens  and  kittens,  and  did  the  honors  hand- 
somely. 

The  toot  of  a  horn  called  all  to  supper,  and  a 
goodly  party,  including  six  children  besides  the  Camp- 
bells, assembled  in  the  long  dining-room,  armed  with 


COSEY  CORNER.  143 

mountain  appetites  and  the  gayest  spirits.  It  was 
impossible  for  any  one  to  be  shy  or  sober,  for  such 
gales  of  merriment  arose  they  blew  the  starch  out 
of  the  stiffest,  and  made  the  saddest  jolly.  Mother 
Atkinson,  as  all  called  their  hostess,  was  the  merriest 
there,  and  the  busiest ;  for  she  kept  flying  up  to  wait 
on  the  children,  to  bring  out  some  new  dish,  or  to 
banish  the  live  stock,  who  were  of  such  a  social  turn 
that  the  colt  came  into  the  entry  and  demanded  sugar ; 
the  cats  sat  about  in  people's  laps,  Avinking  sugges- 
tiA^ely  at  the  food ;  and  speckled  hens  cleared  the 
kitchen  floor  of  crumbs,  as  they  joined  in  the  chat 
with  a  cheerful  clucking. 

Everybody  turned  out  after  tea  to  watch  the  sun- 
set till  all  the  lovely  red  was  gone,  and  mosquitoes 
wound  their  shrill  horns  to  sound  the  retreat.  The 
music  of  an  organ  surprised  the  new-comers,  and  in 
the  parlor  they  found  Father  Atkinson  playing  sweetly 
on  the  little  instrument  made  by  himself.  All  the 
children  gathered  about  him,  and,  led  by  the  tuneful 
sisters,  sang  prettily  till  Pokey  fell  asleep  behind  the 
door,  and  Jamie  gaped  audibly  right  in  the  middle  of 
his  favorite, — 

"  Coo,"  said  the  little  doves  :  "  Coo,"  said  she, 
"  All  in  the  top  of  the  old  pine-tree." 

The  older  travellers,  being  tired,  went  to  "  bye  low  " 
at  the  same  time,  and  slept  like  tops  in  home-spun 
sheets,  on  husk  mattresses  made  by  Mother  Atkinson, 
who  seemed  to  have  put  some  soothing  powder  among 
them,  so  deep  and  sweet  was  the  slumber  that  came. 

Kext   day   began   the   wholesome   out-of-door   life, 


144  EIGHT    COUSINS, 

which  works  such  wonders  with  tired  minds  and 
feeble  bodies.  The  weather  was  perfect,  and  the 
mountain  air  made  the  children  as  frisky  as  young 
lambs ;  while  the  elders  went  about  smiling  at  one 
another,  and  saying,  "Isn't  it  splendid?"  Even 
Mac,  the  "  slow  coach,"  was  seen  to  leap  over  a  fence 
as  if  he  really  could  not  help  it ;  and  when  Rose  ran 
after  him  with  his  broad-brimmed  hat,  he  made  the 
spirited  proposal  to  go  into  the  Avoods  and  hunt  for  a 
catamount. 

Jamie  and  Pokey  were  at  once  enrolled  in  the 
Cosey  Corner  Liglit  Infantry,  —  a  truly  superb  com- 
pany, composed  entirely  of  officers,  all  wearing  cocked 
hats,  carrying  flags,  waving  swords,  or  beating  drums. 
It  was  a  sj^ectacle  to  stir  the  dullest  soul  when  this 
gallant  band  marched  out  of  the  yard  in  full  regimen- 
tals, with  Ca])tain  Dove  —  a  solemn,  big-headed  boy 
of  eleven — issuing  his  orders  with  the  gravity  of  a 
general,  and  his  Falstaffian  regiment  obeying  them 
with  more  d;;cility  than  skill.  The  little  Snow  chil- 
dren did  very  well,  and  Lieutenant  Jack  Dove  was 
fine  to  see  ;  so  was  Drummer  Frank,  the  errand-boy 
of  the  house,  as  he  rub-a-dub-dubbed  with  all  his  heart 
and  drumsticks.  Jamie  had  "trained"  before,  and 
was  made  a  colonel  at  once ;  but  Pokey  was  the  best 
of  all,  and  called  forth  a  spontaneous  burst  of  applause 
from  the  spectators  as  she  brought  up  the  rear,  her 
cocked  hat  all  over  one  eye,  her  flag  trailing  over  her 
shoulder,  and  her  wooden  sword  straight  up  in  the 
air;  her  face  beaming  and  every  curl  bobbing  with 
delight  as  her  fat  legs  tottered  in  the  vain  attempt  to 
keep  step  manfully. 


COSEY    CORNER.  145 

Mac  and  Rose  were  picking  blackberries  in  the 
bushes  beside  the  road  when  the  soldiers  passed  with- 
out seeing  them,  and  they  witnessed  a  sight  that  was 
both  pretty  and  comical.  A  little  farther  on  was  one 
of  the  family  burial  spots  so  common  in  those  parts, 
and  just  this  side  of  it  Captain  Fred  Dove  ordered 
his  company  to  halt,  explaining  his  reason  for  so 
doing  in  the  following  words :  — 

"  That 's  a  graveyard,  and  it 's  proper  to  muffle  the 
drums  and  lower  the  flags  as  we  go  by,  and  we'd 
better  take  off  our  hats,  too  ;  it 's  more  res23ectable, 
I  think." 

"  Is  n't  that  cunning  of  the  dears  ?  "  whispered  Rose, 
as  the  little  troo^D  marched  slowly  by  to  the  muffled 
roll  of  the  drums,  every  flag  and  sword  held  low,  all 
the  little  heads  uncovered,  and  the  childish  faces  very 
sober  as  the  leafy  shadows  flickered  over  them. 

"Let's  follow  and  see  what  they  are  after,"  pro- 
posed Mac,  who  found  sitting  on  a  wall  and  being 
fed  with  blackberries  luxurious  but  tiresome. 

So  they  followed  and  heard  the  music  grow  lively, 
saw  the  banners  wave  in  the  breeze  again  when  the 
graveyard  was  passed,  and  watched  the  company  file 
into  the  dilapidated  old  church  that  stood  at  the  corner 
of  three  woodland  roads.  Presently  the  sound  of  sing- 
ing made  the  outsiders  quicken  their  steps,  and,  stealing 
up,  they  peeped  in  at  one  of  the  broken  windows. 

Captain  Dove  was  up  in  the  old  wooden  pulpit, 
gazing  solemnly  down  upon  his  company,  who,  hav- 
ing stacked  theiv  arms  in  the  porch,  now  sat  in  the 
bare  pews  singing  a  Sunday-school  hymn  with  great 
vigor  and  relish. 

7  J 


146  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

"Let  us  pray,"  said  Captain  Dove,  with  as  much 
reverence  as  an  army  chajDlain ;  and,  folding  his 
hands,  he  repeated  a  prayer  which  he  thought  all 
would  know,  —  an  excellent  little  prayer,  but  not 
exactly  appropriate  to  the  morning,  for  it  was, — 

"  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep." 

Every  one  joined  in  saying  it,  and  it  was  a  pretty 
sight  to  see  the  little  creatures  bowing  their  curly 
heads  and  lisping  out  the  Avords  they  knew  so  well. 
Tears  came  into  Rose's  eyes  as  she  looked ;  Mac  took 
his  hat  ofi:  involuntarily,  and  then  clapped  it  on  again 
as  if  ashamed  of  showing  any  feeling. 

"Now  I  shall  preach  you  a  short  sermon,  and  my 
text  is,  '  Little  children,  love  one  another.'  I  asked 
mamma  to  give  me  one,  and  she  thought  that  would 
be  good ;  so  you  all  sit  still  and  I  '11  preach  it.  You 
must  n't  whisper,  Marion,  but  hear  me.  It  means 
that  we  should  be  good  to  each  other,  and  i^lay  fair, 
and  not  quarrel  as  we  did  this  very  day  about  the 
wagon.  Jack  can't  always  drive,  and  needn't  be  mad 
because  I  like  to  go  with  Frank.  Annette  ought  to 
be  horse  sometimes  and  not  always  driver ;  and  Willie 
may  as  well  make  up  his  mind  to  let  Marion  build  her 
house  by  his,  for  she  loill  do  it,  and  he  need  n't  fuss 
about  it.  Jamie  seems  to  be  a  good  boy,  but  I  shall 
preach  to  him  if  he  isn't.  No,  Pokey,  people  don't 
kiss  in  church  or  put  their  hats  on.  Now  you  must 
all  remember  what  I  tell  you,  because  I  'm  the  cap- 
tain, and  you  should  mind  me." 

Here  Lieutenant  Jack  spoke  right  out  in  meeting 
with  the  rebellious  remark, — 


COSEY    CORNER.  147 

"Don't  care  if  you  are;  you'd  better  mind  your- 
self, and  tell  how  you  took  away  my  strap,  and  kept 
the  biggest  doughnut,  and  did  n't  draw  fair  when  we 
had  the  truck." 

"  Yes,  and  you  slapped  Frank ;  I  saw  you,"  bawled 
Willie  Snow,  bobbing  up  in  his  pew. 

"And  you  took  my  book  away  and  hid  it  'cause 
I  would  n't  go  and  swing  when  you*  wanted  me  to," 
added  Annette,  the  oldest  of  the  Snow  trio. 

"  I  shanH  build  my  house  by  Willie's  if  he  don't 
want  me  to,  so  now ! "  put  in  little  Marion,  joining 
the  mutiny. 

"  I  loill  tiss  Dimmy !  and  I  tored  up  my  hat  'tause 
a  pin  picked  me,"  shouted  Pokey,  regardless  of  Jamie's 
efforts  to  restrain  her. 

Captain  Dove  looked  rather  taken  aback  at  this 
outbreak  in  the  ranks ;  but,  being  a  dignified  and  calm 
personage,  he  quelled  the  rising  rebellion  with  great 
tact  and  skill  by  saying,  briefly,  — 

"  We  will  sing  the  last  hymn  ;  '  Sweet,  sweet  good- 
by,'  —  you  all  know  that,  so  do  it  nicely,  and  then 
we  will  go  and  have  luncheon." 

Peace  was  instantly  restored,  and  a  burst  of  melody 
drowned  the  suppressed  giggles  of  Rose  and  Mac,  who 
found  it  impossible  to  keep  sober  during  the  latter 
part  of  this  somewhat  remarkable  service.  Fifteen 
minutes  of  repose  rendered  it  a  physical  impossibility 
for  the  company  to  march  out  as  quietly  as  they  had 
marched  in.  I  grieve  to  state  that  the  entire  troop 
raced  home  as  hard  as  they  could  pelt,  and  were  soon 
skirmishing  briskly  over  their  lunch,  utterly  oblivious 
of  what  Jamie  (who  had  been  much  impressed  by  the 
sermon)  called  "  the  captain's  beautiful  teck." 


148  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

It  was  astonisliing  how  much  they  all  found  to  do 
at  Cosey  Corner ;  and  Mac,  instead  of  lying  in  a  ham- 
mock and  being  read  to,  as  he  had  expected,  was 
busiest  of  all.  He  was  invited  to  survey  and  lay  out 
Skeeterville,  a  town  which  the  children  were  getting 
up  in  a  huckleberry  j^asture  ;  and  he  found  much 
amusement  in  jDlanning  little  roads,  staking  off  house- 
lots,  attending  to  the  water-works,  and  consulting 
with  the  "  selectmen  "  about  the  best  sites  for  public 
buildings  ;  for  Mac  was  a  boy  still,  in  spite  of  his 
fifteen  years  and  his  love  of  books. 

Then  he  went  fishing  with  a  certain  jovial  gentle- 
man from  the  West ;  and  though  they  seldom  caught 
any  thing  but  colds,  they  had  great  fun  and  exercise 
chasing  the  phantom  trout  they  were  bound  to  have. 
Mac  also  developed  a  geological  mania,  and  went 
tapping  about  at  rocks  and  stones,  discoursing  wisely 
of  "strata,  j^eriods,  and  fossil  remains;"  while  Rose 
picked  up  leaves  and  lichens,  and  gave  him  lessons 
in  botany,  in  return  for  his  lectures   on  geology. 

They  led  a  very  merry  life ;  for  the  Atkinson  girls 
kept  up  a  sort  of  perpetual  picnic  ;  and  did  it  so  capi- 
tally, that  one  was  never  tired  of  it.  So  their  visitors 
throve  finely,  and  long  before  the  month  was  out  it 
was  evident  that  Dr.  Alec  had  prescribed  the  right 
medicine  for  his  patients. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

A    HAPPY    BIRTHDAY. 

THE  twelfth  of  October  was  Rose's  birthday,  but 
no  one  seemed  to  remember  tliat  interesting 
fact,  and  she  felt  delicate  about  mentioning  it,  so  fell 
asleep  the  night  before  w^ondering  if  she  would  have 
any  presents.  That  question  was  settled  early  the 
next  morning,  for  she  was  awakened  by  a  soft  tap 
on  her  face,  and  opening  her  eyes  she  beheld  a  little 
black  and  white  figure  sitting  on  her  pillow,  staring 
at  her  with  a  pair  of  round  eyes  very  like  blueberries, 
while  one  downy  paw  patted  her  nose  to  attract  her 
notice.  It  was  Kitty  Comet,  the  prettiest  of  all  the 
pussies,  and  Comet  evidently  had  a  mission  to  per- 
form, for  a  pink  bow  adorned  her  neck,  and  a  bit  of 
paper  was  pinned  to  it  bearing  the  words,  "  For  Miss 
Rose,  from  Frank." 

That  pleased  her  extremely,  and  that  was  only  the 
beginning  of  the  fun,  for  surprises  and  presents  kept 
popjoing  out  in  the  most  delightful  manner  all  through 
the  day,  the  Atkinson  girls  being  famous  jokers  and 
Rose  a  favorite.  But  the  best  gift  of  all  came  on  the 
way  to  Mount  Windy-top,  where  it  was  decided  to 
picnic  in  honor  of  the  great  occasion.     Three  jolly 


150  EIGHT    COUSINS, 

loads  set  off  soon  after  breakfast,  for  everybody  went, 
and  everybody  seemed  bound  to  have  an  extra  good 
time,  especially  Mother  Atkinson,  who  wore  a  hat  as 
broad-brimmed  as  an  miibrella,  and  took  the  dinner- 
horn  to  keep  her  flock  from  straying  away. 

"  I  'm  going  to  drive  aunty  and  a  lot  of  the  babies, 
so  you  must  ride  the  pony.  And  please  stay  behind 
us  a  good  bit  when  we  go  to  the  station,  for  a  parcel 
is  coming,  and  you  are  not  to  see  it  till  dinner-time. 
You  won't  mind,  will  you  ? "  said  Mac  in  a  confi- 
dential aside  during  the  wild  flurry  of  the  start. 

"Not  a  bit,"  answered  Rose.  "It  hurts  my  feel- 
ings very  much  to  be  told  to  keep  out  of  the  way 
at  any  other  time,  but  birthdays  and  Christmas  it  is 
part  of  the  fun  to  be  blind  and  stupid,  and  poked 
into  corners.  I  '11  be  ready  as  soon  as  you  are,  Gig- 
lamps." 

"  Stop  under  the  big  maple  till  I  call,  —  then  you 
can't  possibly  see  any  thing,"  added  Mac,  as  he 
mounted  her  on  the  pony  his  father  had  sent  up  for 
his  use.  "  Barkis "  was  so  gentle  and  so  "  willin," 
however,  that  Rose  was  ashamed  to  be  afraid  to  ride 
him ;  so  she  had  learned,  that  she  might  surprise  Dr. 
Alec  when  she  got  home  ;  meantime  she  had  many  a 
fine  canter  "over  the  hills  and  far  away"  with  Mac, 
who  preferred  Mr.  Atkinson's  old  Sorrel. 

Away  they  Avent,  and,  coming  to  the  red  maj^le, 
Rose  obediently  paused ;  but  could  not  hel]^  stealing 
a  glance  in  the  forbidden  direction  before  the  call 
came.  Yes,  there  was  a  hamper  going  under  the 
seat,  and  then  she  caught  sight  of  a  tall  man  whom 
Mac  seemed  to  be  hustling  into  the  carriage  in  a  great 


A    HAPPY  BIRTHDAY. 


151 


hurry.     One  look  was  enough,  and,  with  a  cry  of  de- 
light. Rose  was  off  down  the  road  as  fast  as  Barkis 


WHICH   CAUSED  BARKIS  TO   SHY 


"  Now  I  '11  astonish  uncle,"  she  thought.  "  I  '11  dnsh 
up  in  grand  style,  and  show  him  that  I  am  not  a 
coward,  after  all." 


152  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Fired  by  this  ambition,  she  startled  Barkis  by  a  sharp 
cut,  and  still  more  bewildered  him  by  leaving  him  to 
his  own  guidance  down  the  steej),  stony  road.  The 
approach  would  have  been  a  fine  success  if,  just  as 
Rose  was  about  to  pull  up  and  salute,  two  or  three 
distracted  hens  had  not  scuttled  across  the  road  with 
a  great  squawking,  which  caused  Barkis  to  shy  and 
stop  so  suddenly  that  his  careless  rider  landed  in  an 
ignominious  heaj)  just  under  old  Sorrel's  astonished 
nose. 

Rose  was  up  again  before  Dr.  Alec  was  out  of  the 
carryall,  and  threw  two  dusty  arms  about  his  neck, 
crying  with  a  breathless  voice, — 

"  O  uncle,  I  'm  so  glad  to  see  you !  It  is  better 
than  a  cart-load  of  goodies,  and  so  dear  of  you  to 
come ! " 

"  But  are  n't  you  hurt,  child  ?  That  was  a  rough 
tumble,  and  I'm  afraid  you  must  be  damaged  some- 
where," answered  the  Doctor,  full  of  fond  anxiety,  as 
he  surveyed  his  girl  with  pride. 

"My  feelings  are  hurt,  but  my  bones  are  all  safe. 
It 's  too  bad  !  I  was  going  to  do  it  so  nicely,  and  those 
stupid  hens  spoilt  it  all,"  said  Rose,  quite  crest-fallen, 
as  well  as  much  shaken. 

"  I  could  n't  believe  my  eyes  when  I  asked  '  Where 
is  Rose  ? '  and  Mac  pointed  to  the  little  Amazon  pelt- 
ing down  the  hill  at  such  a  rate.  You  could  n't  have 
done  any  thing  that  would  please  me  more,  and  I  'm 
delighted  to  see  how  well  you  ride.  Now,*  will  you 
mount  again,  or  shall  we  turn  Mac  out  and  take  you 
in  ?  "  asked  Dr.  Alec,  as  Aunt  Jessie  proposed  a  start, 
for  the  others  were  beckoning  them  to  follow. 


A    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY.  153 

"  Pride  goeth  before  a  fall,  —  better  not  try  to  show 
off  again,  ma'am,"  said  Mac,  who  would  have  been 
more  than  mortal  if  he  had  refrained  from  teasing 
when  so  good  a  chance  offered. 

"Pride  does  go  before  a  fall,  but  I  wonder  if  a 
sprained  ankle  always  comes  after  it  ?  "  thought  Rose, 
bravely  concealing  her  pain,  as  she  answered,  with 
great  dignity, — 

"  I  prefer  to  ride.  Come  on,  and  see  who  will  catch 
up  first." 

She  was  up  and  away  as  she  spoke,  doing  her  best 
to  efface  the  memory  of  her  downfall  by  sitting  very 
erect,  elbows  down,  head  well  up,  and  taking  the  mo- 
tion of  the  pony  as  Barkis  cantered  along  as  easily  as 
a  rocking-chair. 

"You  ought  to  see  her  go  over  a  fence  and  race 
when  we  ride  together.  She  can  scud,  too,  like  a  deer 
when  we  play  '  Follow  the  leader,'  and  skip  stones  and 
bat  balls  almost  as  well  as  I  can,"  said  Mac,  in  reply 
to  his  uncle's  praise  of  his  pupil. 

"  I  'm  afraid  you  will  think  her  a  sad  tomboy.  Alec ; 
but  really  she  seems  so  well  and  happy,  I  have  not 
the  heart  to  check  her.  She  has  broken  out  in  the 
most  unexpected  way,  and  frisks  like  a  colt ;  for  she 
says  she  feels  so  full  of  spirits  she  must  run  and  shout 
whether  it  is  proper  or  not,"  added  Mrs.  Jessie,  who 
had  been  a  pretty  hoyden  years  ago  herself. 

"  Good, —  good !  that 's  the  best  news  you  could  tell 
me  ;  "  and  Dr.  Alec  rubbed  his  hands  heartily.  "  Let 
the  girl  run  and  shout  as  much  as  she  will,  —  it  is  a 
sure  sign  of  health,  and  as  natural  to  a  happy  child  as 
frisking  is  to  any  young  animal  full  of  life.  Tomboys 
7* 


154  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

make  strong  women  usually,  and  I  had  far  rather  find 
Rose  playing  foot-ball  with  Mac  than  puttering  over 
bead-work  like  that  affected  midget,  Ariadne  Blish." 

"  But  she  cannot  go  on  playing  foot-ball  very  long ; 
and  we  must  not  forget  that  she  has  a  woman's  work 
to  do  by  and  by,"  began  Mrs.  Jessie. 

"  Neither  will  Mac  play  foot-ball  much  longer,  but 
he  will  be  all  the  better  fitted  for  business,  because  of 
the  health  it  gives  him.  Polish  is  easily  added,  if  the 
foundations  are  strong ;  but  no  amount  of  gilding  will 
be  of  use  if  your  timber  is  not  sound.  I  'm  sure  I  'm 
right,  Jessie ;  and  if  I  can  do  as  well  by  my  girl  dur- 
ing the  next  six  months  as  I  have  the  last,  my  experi- 
ment will  succeed." 

"  It  certainly  will ;  for  when  I  contrast  that  bright, 
blooming  face  with  the  pale,  listless  one  that  made  my 
heart  ache  a  while  ago,  I  can  believe  in  almost  any 
miracle,"  said  Mrs.  Jessie,  as  Rose  looked  round  to 
point  out  a  lovely  view,  with  cheeks  like  the  ruddy 
apples  in  the  orchard  near  by,  eyes  clear  as  the  autumn 
sky  overhead,  and  vigor  in  every  line  of  her  girlish 
figure. 

A  general  scramble  among  the  rocks  was  followed 
by  a  regular  gypsy  lunch,  which  the  young  folks  had 
the  rapture  of  helping  to  prepare.  Mother  Atkinson 
put  on  her  apron,  turned  up  her  sleeves,  and  fell  to 
work  as  gayly  as  if  in  her  own  kitchen,  boiling  the 
kettle  slung  on  three  sticks  over  a  fire  of  cones  and 
fir-boughs ;  while  the  girls  spread  the  mossy  table  with 
a  feast  of  country  goodies,  and  the  children  tumbled 
about  in  every  one's  way  till  the  toot  of  the  horn  made 
them  settle  down  like  a  flock  of  hungry  birds. 


A    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY.  155 

As  soon  as  the  merry  meal  and  a  brief  interval  of 
repose  were  over,  it  was  unanimously  voted  to  have 
some  charades.  A  smooth,  green  spot  between  two 
stately  pines  was  chosen  for  the  stage  ;  shawls  hung 
up,  properties  collected,  audience  and  actors  separated, 
and  a  word  quickly  chosen. 

The  first  scene  discovered  Mac  in  a  despondent 
attitude  and  shabby  dress,  evidently  much  troubled 
in  mind.  To  him  entered  a  remarkable  creature  with 
a  brown-paper  bag  over  its  head.  A  little  pink  nose 
peeped  through  one  hole  in  the  middle,  white  teeth 
through  another,  and  above  two  eyes  glared  fiercely. 
Spires  of  grass  stuck  in  each  side  of  the  mouth  seemed 
meant  to  represent  whiskers ;  the  upper  corners  of  the 
bag  were  twisted  like  ears,  and  no  one  could  doubt 
for  a  moment  that  the  black  scarf  pinned  on  behind 
was  a  tail. 

This  singular  animal  seemed  in  pantomime  to  be 
comforting  his  master  and  offering  advice,  which  was 
finally  acted  upon,  for  Mac  pulled  off  his  boots,  helped 
the  little  beast  into  them,  and  gave  him  a  bag ;  then, 
kissing  his  paw  with  a  hopeful  gesture,  the  creature 
retired,  purring  so  successfully  that  there  was  a  general 
cry  of  "  Cat,  puss,  boots !  " 

"  Cat  is  the  word,"  replied  a  voice,  and  the  curtain 
fell. 

The  next  scene  was  a  puzzler,  for  in  came  another 
animal,  on  all-fours  this  time,  with  a  new  sort  of  tail 
and  long  ears.  A  gray  shawl  concealed  its  face,  but 
an  inquisitive  sunbeam  betrayed  the  glitter  as  of  gog- 
gles under  the  fringe.  On  its  back  rode  a  small  gen- 
tleman in  Eastern  costume,  who  appeared  to  find  some 


156  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

difficulty  in  keeping  his  seat  as  his  steed  jogged  along. 
Suddenly  a  spirit  appeared,  all  in  white,  with  long 
newspaper  wings  upon  its  back  and  golden  locks  about 
its  face.  Singularly  enough,  the  beast  beheld  this  ap- 
parition and  backed  instantly,  but  the  rider  evidently 
saw  nothing  and  whi])ped  up  unmercifully,  also  un- 
successfully, for  the  spirit  stood  directly  m  the  path, 
and  the  amiable  beast  would  not  budge  a  foot.  A 
lively  skirmish  followed,  which  ended  in  the  Eastern 
gentleman's  being  upset  into  a  sweet-fern  bush,  while 
the  better-bred  animal  abased  itself  before  the  shining 
one. 

The  children  were  all  in  the  dark  till  Mother  Atkin- 
son said,  in  an  inquiring  tone,  — 

"  If  that  is  n't  Balaam  and  the  ass,  I  'd  like  to  know 
what  it  is.     Rose  makes  a  sweet  angel,  don't  she  ?  " 

"  Ass  "  was  evidently  the  word,  and  the  angel  re- 
tired, smiling  with  mundane  satisfaction  over  the  com- 
pliment that  reached  her  ears. 

The  next  was  a  pretty  little  scene  from  the  immortal 
story  of  "  Babes  in  the  "Wood."  Jamie  and  Pokey 
came  trotting  in,  hand-in-hand,  and,  having  been 
through  the  parts  many  times  before,  acted  with  great 
ease  and  much  fluency,  audibly  directing  each  other 
from  time  to  time  as  they  went  along.  The  berries 
were  picked,  the  way  lost,  tears  shed,  baby  consolation 
administered,  and  then  the  little  pair  lay  down  among 
the  brakes  and  died  with  their  eyes  wide  open  and  the 
toes  of  their  four  little  boots  turned  up  to  the  daisies 
in  the  most  pathetic  manner. 

"  Now  the  wobins  tum.  You  be  twite  dead,  Dimmy, 
and  I  '11  peep  and  see  'em,"  one  defunct  innocent  was 
heard  to  say. 


A    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY.  157 

"  I  hope  they  '11  be  quick,  for  I  'm  lying  on  a  stone, 
and  ants  are  walking  up  my  leg  like  fury,"  murmured 
the  other. 

Here  the  robins  came  flapj^ing  in  with  red  scarfs 
over  their  breasts  and  leaves  in  their  mouths,  which 
they  carefully  laid  upon  the  babes  wherever  they 
would  show  best.  A  prickly  blackberry-leaf  placed 
directly  over  Pokey's  nose  caused  her  to  sneeze  so 
violently  that  her  little  legs  flew  into  the  air  ;  Jamie 
gave  a  startled  "  Ow ! "  and  the  pitying  fowls  fled 
giggling. 

After  some  discussion  it  was  decided  that  the  syl- 
lable must  be  "  strew  or  strow,"  and  then  they  waited 
to  see  if  it  was  a  good  guess. 

This  scene  discovered  Annette  Snow  in  bed,  evi- 
dently very  ill ;  Miss  Jenny  was  her  anxious  mamma, 
and  her  merry  conversation  amused  the  audience  till 
Mac  came  in  as  a  physician,  and  made  great  fun  with 
his  big  watch,  pompous  manner,  and  absurd  questions. 
He  prescribed  one  pellet  with  an  unpronounceable 
name,  and  left  after  demanding  twenty  dollars  for  his 
brief  visit. 

The  pellet  was  administered,  and  such  awful  agonies 
immediately  set  in  that  the  distracted  mamma  bade  a 
sympathetic  neighbor  run  for  Mother  Know-all.  The 
neighbor  ran,  and  in  came  a  brisk  little  old  lady  in 
cap  and  specs,  with  a  bundle  of  herbs  under  her  arm, 
which  she  at  once  applied  in  all  sorts  of  funny  ways, 
explaining  their  virtues  as  she  clapped  a  plantain 
poultice  here,  put  a  pounded  catnip  plaster  there,  or 
tied  a  couple  of  mullein  leaves  round  the  sufferer's 
throat.     Instant  relief  ensued,  the  dying  child  sat  up 


158  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

and  demanded  baked  beans,  the  grateful  parent  offered 
fifty  dollars ;  but  Mother  Know-all  indignantly  refused 
it  and  went  smiling  away,  declaring  that  a  neighborly 
turn  needed  no  reward,  and  a  doctor's  fee  was  all  a 
humbug. 

The  audience  were  in  fits  of  laughter  over  this  scene, 
for  Rose  imitated  Mrs.  Atkinson  capitally,  and  the 
herb-cure  was  a  good  hit  at  the  excellent  lady's  belief 
that  "  yarbs  "  would  save  mankind  if  properly  applied. 
No  one  enjoyed  it  more  than  herself,  and  the  saucy 
children  prepared  for  the  gv^mdi  finale  in  high  feather. 

This  closing  scene  was  brief  but  striking,  for  two 
trains  of  cars  whizzed  in  from  opposite  sides,  met  with 
a  terrible  collision  in  the  middle  of  the  stage,  and  a 
general  smash-up  completed  the  word  catastrophe, 

"  Now  let  us  act  a  proverb.  I  've  got  one  all  ready," 
said  Rose,  who  was  dying  to  distinguish  herself  in 
some  way  before  Uncle  Alec. 

So  every  one  but  Mac,  the  gay  Westerner,  and 
Rose,  took  their  places  on  the  rocky  seats  and  dis- 
cussed the  late  beautiful  and  varied  charade,  in  which 
Pokey  frankly  pronounced  her  own  scene  the  "  bestest 
of  all." 

In  five  minutes  the  curtain  was  lifted ;  nothing  ap- 
peared but  a  very  large  sheet  of  brown  paper  pinned 
to  a  tree,  and  on  it  was  drawn  a  clock-face,  the  hands 
pointing  to  four.  A  small  note  below  informed  the 
public  that  4  a.m.  was  the  time.  Hardly  had  the 
audience  grasped  this  important  fact  when  a  long 
water-proof  serpent  was  seen  uncoiling  itself  from 
behind  a  stump.  An  inch-worm,  perhaps,  would  be  a 
better  description,  for  it  travelled  in  the  same  humpy 


A    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY.  159 

way  as  that  pleasing  reptile.  Suddenly  a  very  wide- 
awake and  active  fowl  advanced,  pecking,  chirping, 
and  scratching  vigorously.  A  tuft  of  green  leaves 
waved  upon  his  crest,  a  larger  tuft  of  brakes-  made  an 
umbrageous  tail,  and  a  shawl  of  many  colors  formed 
his  flapping  wings.  A  truly  noble  bird,  whose  legs 
had  the  genuine  strut,  whose  eyes  shone  watchfully, 
and  whose  voice  had  a  ring  that  evidently  struck  ter- 
ror into  the  caterpillar's  soul,  if  it  was  a  caterpillar. 
He  squirmed,  he  wriggled,  he  humped  as  fast  as  he 
could,  trying  to  escape  ;  but  all  in  vain.  The  tufted 
bird  espied  him,  gave  one  warbling  sort  of  crow, 
pounced  upon  him,  and  flapped  triumphantly  away. 

"  That  early  bird  got  such  a  big  worm  he  could 
hardly  carry  him  off,"  laughed  Aunt  Jessie,  as  the 
children  shouted  over  the  joke  suggested  by  Mac's 
nickname. 

"  That  is  one  of  uncle's  favorite  proverbs,  so  I  got 
it  up  for  his  especial  benefit,"  said  Rose,  coming  ujj 
with  the  two-legged  worm  beside  her. 

"  Very  clever  ;  what  next?  "  asked  Dr.  Alec  as  she 
sat  down  beside  him. 

"  The  Dove  boys  are  going  to  give  us  an  *  Incident 
in  the  Life  of  Napoleon,'  as  they  call  it ;  the  children 
think  it  very  splendid,  and  the  little  fellows  do  it  rather 
nicely,"  answered  Mac  with  condescension. 

A  tent  appeared,  and  pacing  to  and  fro  before  it 
was  a  little  sentinel,  who,  in  a  brief  soliloquy,  informed 
the  observers  that  the  elements  were  in  a  great  state 
of  confusion,  that  he  had  marched  some  hundred  miles 
or  so  that  day,  and  that  he  was  dying  for  want  of  sleej). 
Then  he  paused,  leaned  upon  his  gun,  and  seemed  to 


160  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

doze ;  dropped  slowly  down,  ovei'iDOwered  with  slum- 
ber, and  finally  lay  flat,  with  his  gun  beside  him,  a 
faithless  little  sentinel.  Enter  Napoleon,  cocked  hat, 
gray  coat,  high  boots,  folded  arms,  grim  mouth,  and  a 
melodramatic  stride.  Freddy  Dove  always  covered 
himself  with  glory  in  this  part,  and  "  took  the  stage  " 
with  a  Napoleonic  attitude  that  brought  down  the 
house  ;  for  the  big-headed  boy,  with  solemn,  dark  eyes 
and  square  brow,  was  "  the  very  moral  of  that  rascal, 
Boneyparty,"  Mother  Atkinson  said. 

Some  great  scheme  was  evidently  brewing  in  his 
mighty  mind,  —  a  trip  across  the  Alps,  a  bonfire  at 
Moscow,  or  a  little  skirmish  at  Waterloo,  perhaps,  for 
he  marched  in  silent  majesty  till  suddenly  a  gentle 
snore  disturbed  the  imperial  reverie.  He  saw  the 
sleeping  soldier  and  glared  upon  him,  saying  in  an 
awful  tone, — 

"Ha!  asleep  at  his  post!  Death  is  the  penalty, — 
he  must  die  ! " 

Picking  up  the  musket,  he  is  about  to  execute  sum« 
raary  justice,  as  emperors  are  in  the  habit  of  doing, 
when  something  in  the  face  of  the  weary  sentinel 
appears  to  touch  him.  And  well  it  might,  for  a  most 
engaging  little  warrior  was  Jack  as  he  lay  with  his 
shako  half  off,  his  childish  face  trying  to  keep  sober, 
and  a  great  black  moustache  over  his  rosy  mouth. 
It  would  have  softened  the  heart  of  any  Napoleon, 
and  the  Little  Corporal  proved  himself  a  man  by 
relenting,  and  saying,  with  a  lofty  gesture  of  forgive- 
ness, — 

"  Brave  fellow,  he  is  worn  out ;  I  will  let  him  sleep, 
and  mount  guard  in  his  place." 


A    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY.  161 

Then,  shouldering  the  gun,  this  noble  being  strode 
to  and  fro  with  a  dignity  which  thrilled  the  younger 
spectators.  The  sentinel  awakes,  sees  what  has  hap- 
pened, and  gives  himself  up  for  lost.  But  the  Emperor 
restores  his  weapon,  and,  with  that  smile  which  won 
all  hearts,  says,  jDointing  to  a  high  rock  whereon  a 
crow  happens  to  be  sitting  :  "  Be  brave,  be  vigilant, 
and  remember  that  from  yonder  Pyramid  generations 
are  beholding  you,"  and  with  these  memorable  words 
he  vanishes,  leaving  the  grateful  soldier  bolt  upright, 
with  his  hand  at  his  temple  and  deathless  devotion 
stamped  uj)on  his  youthful  countenance. 

The  ai:)plause  which  followed  this  superb  piece  had 
hardly  subsided,  when  a  sudden  splash  and  a  shrill 
cry  caused  a  general  rush  toward  the  waterfall  that 
went  gambolling  down  the  rocks,  singing  sweetly  as 
it  ran.  Pokey  had  tried  to  gambol  also,  and  had 
tumbled  into  a  shallow  pool,  whither  Jamie  had 
gallantly  followed,  in  a  vain  attempt  to  fish  her  out, 
and  both  were  paddling  about  half  frightened,  half 
pleased  with  the  unexpected  bath. 

This  mishap  made  it  necessary  to  get  the  dripping 
infants  home  as  soon  as  possible ;  so  the  wagons  were 
loaded  up,  and  away  they  went,  as  merry  as  if  the 
mountain  air  had  really  been  "  Oxygenated  Sweets 
not  Bitters,"  as  Dr.  Alec  suggested  when  Mac  said 
he  felt  as  jolly  as  if  he  had  been  drinking  champagne 
instead  of  the  currant  wine  that  came  with  a  great 
frosted  cake  wreathed  with  sugar  roses  in  Aunt 
Plenty's    hamper    of    goodies. 

Rose  took  part  in  all  the  fun,  and  never  betrayed 
by  look  or  word  the  twinges  of  pain  she  suffered  in 


162  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

her  ankle.  She  excused  herself  from  the  games  in  the 
evening,  however,  and  sat  talking  to  Uncle  Alec  in  a 
lively  way,  that  both  amazed  and  delighted  him ;  for 
she  confided  to  "him  that  she  played  horse  with  the 
children,  drilled  with  the  light  infantry,  climbed  trees, 
and  did  other  dreadful  things  that  would  have  caused 
the  aunts  to  cry  aloud  if  they  knew  of  them. 

"I  don't  care  a  pin  what  they  say  if  you  don't 
mind,  uncle,"  she  answered,  when  he  pictured  the 
dismay  of  the  good  ladies. 

"  Ah,  it 's  all  very  well  to  defy  them.,  but  you  are 
getting  so  rampant,  I  'm  afraid  you  will  defy  me 
next,  and  then  where  are  we  ?  " 

"  No,  I  won't !  I  should  n't  dare ;  because  you  are 
my  guardian,  and  can  put  me  in  a  strait-jacket  if 
you  like;"  and  Rose  laughed  in  his  face,  even  while 
she  nestled  closer  with  a  confiding  gesture  pleasant  to- 
see. 

"Upon  my  word.  Rosy,  I  begin  to  feel  like  the 
man  who  bought  an  elephant,  and  then  didn't  know 
what  to  do  w4th  him.  I  thought  I  had  got  a  pet  and 
plaything  for  years  to  come ;  but  here  you  are  grow- 
ing up  like  a  bean-stalk,  and  I  shall  find  I  've  got  a 
strong-minded  little  woman  on  my  hands  before  I  can 
turn  round.  There 's  a  predicament  for  a  man  and 
an  uncle ! " 

Dr.  Alec's  comic  distress  was  mercifully  relieved  for 
the  time  being  by  a  dance  of  goblins  on  the  lawn, 
where  the  children,  with  pumpkin  lanterns  on  their 
heads,  frisked  about  like  will-o'-the-wisps,  as  a  parting 
surprise. 

When  Rose  went  to   bed,  she   found   that   Uncle 


A    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY.  163 

Alec  had  not  forgotten  her;  for  on  the  table  stood 
a  delicate  little  easel,  holding  two  miniatures  set  in 
velvet.  She  knew  them  both,  and  stood  looking  at 
them  till  her  eyes  brimmed  over  with 'tears  that  were 
both  sweet  and  sad ;  for  they  were  the  faces  of  her 
father  and  mother,  beautifully  cojDied  from  portraits 
fast  fading  away. 

Presently  she  knelt  down,  and,  putting  her  arms 
round  the  little  shrine,  kissed  one  after  the  other, 
saying  with  an  earnest  voice,  "  I  '11  truly  try  to  make 
them  glad  to  see  me  by  and  by." 

And  that  was  Rose's  little  prayer  on  the  night  of 
her  fourteenth  birthday. 

Two  days  later,  the  Campbells  went  home,  a  larger 
party  than  when  they  came ;  for  Dr.  Alec  was  escort, 
and  Kitty  Comet  was  borne  in  state  in  a  basket,  with 
a  bottle  of  milk,  some  tiny  sandwiches,  and  a  doll's 
dish  to  drink  out  of,  as  well  as  a  bit  of  carpet  to  lie 
on  in  her  palace  car,  out  of  wiiich  she  kept  popping 
her  head  in  the  most  fascinating  manner. 

There  was  a  great  kissing  and  cuddling,  waving 
of  handkerchiefs,  and  last  good-bys,  as  they  went; 
and  when  they  had  started.  Mother  Atkinson  came 
running  after  them,  to  tuck  in  some  little  pies,  hot 
from  the  oven,  "  for  the  dears,  who  might  get  tired 
of  bread  and  butter  during  that  long  day's  travel." 

Another  start,  and  another  halt;  for  the  Snow 
children  came  shrieking  up  to  demand  the  three 
kittens  that  Pokey  was  coolly  carrying  off  in  a 
travelling-bag.  The  unhappy  kits  were  rescued,  half 
smothered,  and  restored  to  their  lawful  owners,  amid 
dire  lamentation  from  the  little  kidnapper,  who  de- 


164  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

clared  that  she  only  "  tooked  um  'cause  they  'd  want 
to  go  wid  their  sister  Tomit." 

Start  number  three  and  stoppage  number  three, 
as  Frank  hailed  them  with  the  luncheon-basket,  which 
had  been  forgotten,  after  every  one  had  iDrotested 
that  it  was  safely  in. 

All  went  well  after  that,  and  the  long  journey  was 
pleasantly  beguiled  by  Pokey  and  Pussy,  wlio  played 
together  so  jDrettily  that  they  were  considered  public 
benefactors. 

"  Rose  does  n't  want  to  go  home,  for  she  knows  the 
aunts  won't  let  her  rampage  as  she  did  uj^  at  Cosey 
Corner,"  said  Mac,  as  they  approached  the  old  house. 

"I  cmi't  rampage  if  I  want  to,  —  for  a  time,  at 
least ;  and  I  '11  tell  you  why.  I  sj^rained  my  ankle 
when  I  tumbled  o££  of  Barkis,  and  it  gets  worse  and 
worse ;  though  I  've  done  all  I  know  to  cure  it  and 
hide  it,  so  it  shouldn't  trouble  any  one,"  whispered 
Rose,  knitting  her  brows  with  pain,  as  she  prepared 
to  descend,  wishing  her  uncle  would  take  her  instead 
of  her  bundles. 

How  he  did  it,  she  never  knew ;  but  Mac  had  her 
up  the  steps  and  on  the  parlor  sofa  before  she  could 
put  her  foot  to  the  ground. 

"  There  you  are,  —  right  side  up  with  care ;  and 
mind,  now,  if  your  ankle  bothers  you,  and  you  are 
laid  up  with  it,  7"  am  to  be  your  footman.  It's  only 
fair,  you  know ;  for  I  don't  forget  how  good  you 
have  been  to  me."  And  Mac  went  to  call  Phebe, 
so  full  of  gratitude  and  good-will  that  his  very 
goggles   shone. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

EAR-RINGS. 

ROSE'S  sprain  proved  to  be  a  serious  one,  owing 
to  neglect,  and  Dr.  Alec  ordered  her  to  lie  on 
the  sofa  for  a  fortnight  at  least ;  whereat  she  groaned 
dismally,  but  dared  not  openly  complain,  lest  the 
boys  turn  upon  her  with  some  of  the  wise  little 
sermons  on  patience  which  she  had  delivered  for 
their  benefit. 

It  was  Mac's  turn  now,  and  honorably  did  he  re- 
pay his  debt;  for,  as  school  was  still  forbidden,  he 
had  plenty  of  leisure,  and  devoted  most  of  it  to  Rose. 
He  took  many  steps  for  her,  and  even  allowed  her  to 
teach  him  to  knit,  after  assuring  himself  that  many 
a  brave  Scotchman  knew  how  to  "cHck  the  pricks." 
She  was  obliged  to  take  a  solemn  vow  of  secrecy, 
however,  before  he  would  consent ;  for,  though  he 
did  not  mind  being  called  "  Giglamps,"  "Granny" 
was  more  than  his  boyish  soul  could  bear,  and  at  the 
approach  of  any  of  the  clan  his  knitting  vanished  as 
if  by  magic,  which  frequent  "  chucking "  out  of  sight 
did  not  improve  the  stripe  he  was  doing  for  Rose's 
new  afghan. 

She  was  busy  with  this   pretty  work   one   bright 


166  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

October  afternoon,  all  nicely  established  on  her  sofa 
in  the  upper  hall,  while  Jamie  and  Pokey  (lent  for 
her  amusement)  were  keeping  house  in  a  corner,  with 
Comet  and  Rose's  old  doll  for  their  "  childerns." 

Presently,  Phebe  appeared  with  a  card.  Rose  read 
it,  made  a  grimace,  then  laughed  and  said,  — 

"  I  '11  see  Miss  Bliss,"  and  immediately  put  on  her 
company  face,  pulled  out  her  locket,  and  settled  her 
curls. 

"You  dear  thing,  how  do  you  do?  I've  been 
trying  to  call  every  day  since  you  got  back,  but  I  have 
so  many  engagements,  I  really  couldn't  manage  it 
till  to-day.  So  glad  you  are  alone,  for  mamma  said 
I  could  sit  awhile,  and  I  brought  my  lace-work  to 
show  you,  for  it 's  perfectly  lovely,"  cried  Miss  Bliss, 
greeting  Rose  with  a  kiss,  which  was  not  very  warmly 
returned,  though  Rose  politely  thanked  her  for  com- 
ing, and  bid  Phebe  roll  up  the  easy  chair. 

"  How  nice  to  have  a  maid ! "  said  Annabel,  as  she 
settled  herself  with  much  commotion.  "  Still,  dear, 
you  must  be  very  lonely,  and  feel  the  need  of  a  bosom 
friend." 

"  I  have  my  cousins,"  began  Rose,  with  dignity,  for 
her  visitor's  patronizing  manner  ruffled  her  temper. 

"  Gracious,  child !  you  don't  make  friends  of  those 
great  boys,  do  you  ?  Mamma  says  she  really  does  n't 
think  it's  proper  for  you  to  be  Avith  them  so  much.'' 

"  They  are  like  brothers,  and  my  aunts  do  think 
it 's  proper,"  replied  Rose,  rather  sharply,  for  it  struck 
her  that  this  was  none  of  Miss  Bliss's  business. 

"  I  was  merely  going  to  say  I  should  be  glad  to 
have  you  for  7ny  bosom  friend,  for  Hatty  Mason  and 


EAR-RINGS.  167 

I  have  had  an  aAvful  quarrel,  and  don't  speak.  She  is 
too  mean  to  live,  so  I  gave  her  up.  Just  think,  she 
never  paid  back  one  of  the  caramels  I've  given  her, 
and  never  invited  me  to  her  party.  I  could  have 
forgiven  the  caramels,  but  to  be  left  out  in  that  rude 
way  was  more  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  told  her  never 
to  look  at  me  again  as  long  as  she  lived." 

"You  are  very  kind,  but  I  don't  think  I  want  a 
bosom  friend,  thank  you,"  said  Rose,  as  Annabel 
stopped  to  bridle  and  shake  her  flaxen  head  over  the 
delinquent  Hatty  Mason. 

Now,  in  her  heart  Miss  Bliss  thought  Rose  "a 
stuck-up  puss,"  but  the  other  girls  wanted  to  know 
her  and  could  n't,  the  old  house  was  a  charming  place 
to  visit,  the  lads  were  considered  fine  fellows,  and  the 
Campbells  "are  one  of  our  first  families,"  mamma 
said.  So  Annabel  concealed  her  vexation  at  Rose's 
coolness,  and  changed  the  subject  as  fast  as  possible. 

"Studying  French,  I  see;  who  is  your  teacher?" 
she  asked,  flirting  over  the  leaves  of  "  Paul  and 
Virginia,"   that   lay   on   the   table. 

"I  don't  study  it,  for  I  read  French  as  well  as 
English,  and  uncle  and  I  often  speak  it  for  hours. 
He  talks  like  a  native,  and  says  I  have  a  remarkably 
good  accent." 

Rose  really  could  not  help  this  small  display  of 
superiority,  for  French  was  one  of  her  strong  points, 
and  she  was  vain  of  it,  though  she  usually  managed 
to  hide  this  weakness.  She  felt  that  Annabel  would 
be  the  better  for  a  little  crushing,  and  could  not  resist 
the  temptation  to  patronize  in  her  turn. 

"Oh,  indeed!"  said  Miss  Bliss,  rather  blankly,  for 
French  was  not  her  strong  point  by  any  means. 


168  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

"I  am  to  go  abroad  with  uncle  in  a  year  or  two, 
and  he  knows  how  inajDortant  it  is  to  understand  the 
languages.  Half  the  girls  who  leave  school  can't 
sjDeak  decent  French,  and  when  they  go  abroad  they 
are  so  mortified.  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  help  you, 
if  you  like,  for  of  course  you  have  no  one  to  talk  with 
at  home." 

Now  Annabel,  though  she  looked  like  a  wax  doll, 
had  feelings  within  her  instead  of  sawdust,  and  these 
feelings  were  hurt  by  Rose's  lofty  tone.  She  thought 
her  more  "  stuck  up "  than  ever,  but  did  not  know 
how  to  bring  her  down,  yet  longed  to  do  it,  for  she 
felt  as  if  she  had  received  a  box  on  the  ear,  and  in- 
voluntarily put  her  hand  w])  to  it.  The  touch  of  an 
ear-ring  consoled  her,  and  suggested  a  way  of  return- 
ing tit  for  tat  in  a  telling  manner. 

"  Thank  you,  dear ;  I  don't  need  any  help,  for  our 
teacher  is  from  Paris,  and  of  course  he  speaks  better 
French  than  your  uncle."  Then  she  added,  with  a 
gesture  of  her  head  that  set  the  little  bells  on  her 
ears  to  tingling  :  "  How  do  you  like  my  new  ear-rings  ? 
Papa  gave  them  to  me  last  week,  and  every  one  says 
they  are  lovely." 

Rose  came  down  from  her  high  horse  with  a 
rapidity  that  was  comical,  for  Annabel  had  the  upper 
hand  now.  Rose  adored  pretty  things,  longed  to 
wear  them,  and  the  desire  of  her  girlish  soul  was  to 
have  her  ears  bored,  only  Dr.  Alec  thought  it  fool- 
ish, so  she  never  had  done  it.  She  would  gladly  have 
given  all  the  French  she  could  jabber  for  a  pair  of 
golden  bells  with  pearl-tipped  tongues,  like  those 
Annabel  wore  ;  and,  clasping  her  hands,  she  answered, 
in  a  tone  that  went  to  the  hearer's  heart, — 


BAR-RINGS.  169 

"They  are  toe  sweet  for  any  thing!  If  uncle 
would  only  let  me  wear  some^  i  should  ioe  perfectly 
happy." 

"  I  would  n't  mind  what  he  says.  Papa  laughed 
at  me  at  first,  but  he  likes  them  now,  and  says  I  shall 
have  diamond  solitaires  when  I  am  eighteen,"  said 
Annabel,  quite  satisfied  with  her  shot. 

"I've  got  a  pair  now  that  were  mamma's,  and  a 
beautiful  little  pair  of  pearl  and  turquoise  ones,  that 
I  am  dying  to  wear,"  sighed  Rose. 

"Then  do  it.  I'll  pierce  your  ears,  and  you  must 
wear  a  bit  of  silk  in  them  till  they  are  well ;  your  curls 
will  hide  them  nicely ;  then,  some  day,  slip  in  your 
smallest  ear-rings,  and  see  if  your  uncle  don't  like 
them." 

"  I  asked  him  if  it  would  n't  do  my  eyes  good  once 
when  they  were  red,  and  he  only  laughed.  People  do 
cure  weak  eyes  that  way,  don't  they  ?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed,  and  yours  are  sort  of  red.  Let  me 
see.  Yes,  I  really  think  you  ought  to  do  it  before 
they  get  worse,"  said  Annabel,  peering  into  the  large 
clear  eye  offered  for  inspection. 

"  Does  it  hurt  much  ?  "  asked  Rose,  wavering. 

"Oh  dear,  no!  just  a  prick  and  a  pull,  and  it's  all 
over.  I've  done  lots  of  ears,  and  know  just  how. 
Come,  push  up  your  hair  and  get  a  big  needle." 

"  I  don't  quite  like  to  do  it  without  asking  uncle's 
leave,"  faltered  Rose,  when  all  was  ready  for  the  oper- 
ation. 

"  Did  he  ever  forbid  it  ?  "  demanded  Annabel  hov- 
ering over  her  prey  like  a  vampire. 

"  :N^o,  never !  " 


170 


EIGHT  COUSINS. 


EAR-RINGS.  171 

"Then  do  it,  unless  you  are  afraid^''  cried  Miss 
Bliss,  bent  on  accomplishing  the  deed. 

That  last  word  settled  the  matter,  and,  closing  her 
eyes.  Rose  said  "  Punch !  "  in  the  tone  of  one  giving 
the  fatal  order  "  Fire  !  " 

Annabel  j)unched,  and  the  victim  bore  it  in  heroic 
silence,  though  she  turned  pale  and  her  eyes  were  full 
of  tears  of  anguish. 

"  There  !  Now  pull  the  bits  of  silk  often,  and  cold- 
cream  your  ears  every  night,  and  you  '11  soon  be  ready 
for  the  rings,"  said  Annabel,  well  pleased  with  her  job, 
for  the  girl  who  spoke  French  with  "  a  fine,  accent " 
lay  fiat  upon  the  sofa,  looking  as  exhausted  as  if  she 
had  had  both  ears  cut  off. 

"  It  does  hurt  dreadfully,  and  I  know  uncle  won't 
like  it,"  sighed  Rose,  as  remorse  began  to  gnaw. 
"  Promise  not  to  tell,  or  I  shall  be  teased  to  death,"  she 
added,  anxiously,  entirely  forgetting  the  two  little 
pitchers  gifted  with  eyes  as  well  as  ears,  who  had  been 
watching  the  whole  performance  from  afar. 

"Never.  Mercy  me,  what's  that?"  and  Annabel 
started  as  a  sudden  sound  of  steps  and  voices  came  up 
from  below. 

"  It 's  the  boys !  Hide  the  needle.  Do  my  ears 
show  ?  Don't  breathe  a  word ! "  whispered  Rose, 
scrambling  about  to  conceal  all  traces  of  their  iniquity 
from  the  sharp  eyes  of  the  clan. 

Up  they  came,  all  in  good  order,  laden  with  the  pro- 
ceeds of  a  nutting  expedition,  for  they  always  reported 
to  Rose  and  paid  tribute  to  their  queen  in  the  hand- 
somest manner. 

"  How  many,  and  how  big !     We  '11  have  a  grand 


172  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

roasting  frolic  after  tea,  won't  we?"  said  Rose,  plung- 
ing both  hands  into  a  bag  of  glossy  brown  nuts,  while 
the  clan  "  stood  at  ease  "  and  nodded  to  Annabel. 

"  That  lot  was  picked  especially  for  you,  Rosy.  I 
got  every  one  myself,  and  they  are  extra  whackers," 
said  Mac,  presenting  a  bushel  or  so. 

"You  should  have  seen  Giglamps  when  he  was  after 
them.  He  pitched  out  of  the  tree,  and  would  have 
broken  his  blessed  old  neck  if  Arch  had  not  caught 
him,"  observed  Steve,  as  he  lounged  gracefully  in  the 
window  seat. 

"  You  need  n't  talk.  Dandy,  when  you  did  n't  know 
a  chestnut  from  a  beech,  and  kept  on  thrashing  till  I 
told  you  of  it,"  retorted  Mac,  festooning  himself  over 
the  back  of  the  sofa,  being  a  privileged  boy. 

"I  don't  make  mistakes  when  I  thrash  you,  old 
Worm,  so  you  'd  better  mind  what  you  are  about,"  an- 
swered Steve,  without  a  ray  of  j)roper  respect  for  his 
elder  brother. 

"  It  is  getting  dark,  and  I  must  go,  or  mamma  will 
be  alarmed,"  said  Annabel  rising  in  sudden  haste, 
though  she  hoped  to  be  asked  to  remain  to  the  nut- 
party. 

No  one  invited  her ;  and  all  the  while  she  was  put- 
ting on  her  things  and  chatting  to  Rose  the  boys  were 
telegraphing  to  one  another  the  sad  fact  that  some  one 
ought  to  escort  the  young  lady  home.  ISTot  a  boy  felt 
heroic  enough  to  cast  himself  into  the  breach,  however  ; 
even  polite  Archie  shirked  the  duty,  saying  to  Charlie, 
as  they  quietly  slipped  into  an  adjoining  room, — 

"I'm  not  going  to  do  all  the  gallivanting.  Let 
Steve  take  that  chit  home  and  show  his  manners." 


EAR-RINGS.  lr3 

"  I  '11  be  hanged  if  I  do  !  "  answered  Prince,  who  dis- 
liked Miss  Bliss  because  she  tried  to  be  coquettish  with 
him. 

"  Then  I  will,"  and,  to  the  dismay  of  both  recreant 
lads,  Dr.  Alec  walked  out  of  the  room  to  offer  his  ser- 
vices to  the  "  chit." 

He  was  too  late,  however,  for  Mac,  obeying  a  look 
from  Rose,  had  already  made  a  victim  of  himself,  and 
trudged  meekly  away,  wishing  the  gentle  Annabel  at 
the  bottom  of  the  Red  Sea. 

"  Then  I  will  take  this  lady  down  to  tea,  as  the  other 
one  has  found  a  gentleman  to  go  home  with  her.  I  see 
the  lamps  are  lighted  below,  and  I  smell  a  smell  which 
tells  me  that  aunty  has  something  extra  nice  for  us 
to-night." 

As  he  spoke,  Dr.  Alec  was  preparing  to  carry  Rose 
downstairs  as  usual ;  but  Archie  and  Prince  rushed 
forward,  begging  with  penitent  eagerness  for  the  honor 
of  carrying  her  in  an  arm-chair.  Rose  consented,  fear- 
ing that  her  uncle's  keen  eye  would  discover  the  fatal 
bits  of  silk ;  so  the  boys  crossed  hands,  and,  taking  a 
good  grip  of  each  curly  pate,  she  was  borne  down  in 
state,  while  the  others  followed  by  way  of  the  banis- 
ters. 

Tea  was  ordered  earlier  than  usual,  so  that  Jamie 
and  his  dolly  could  have  a  taste,  at  least,  of  the  holi- 
day fun,  for  they  were  to  stay  till  seven,  and  be  al- 
lowed twelve  roasted  chestnuts  apiece,  which  they  were 
under  bonds  not  to  eat  till  next  day. 

Tea  was  despatched  rapidly,  therefore,  and  the  party 
gathered  round  the  wide  hearth  in  the  dining-room, 
where  the  nuts  were  soon  dancing  gayly  on  hot  shov- 


174  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

els  or  bouncing  out  among  the  company,  thereby  caus- 
ing dehghtful  panics  among  the  little  ones. 

"  Come,  Rosy,  tell  us  a  story  while  we  work,  for  you 
can't  help  much,  and  must  amuse  us  as  your  share," 
proposed  Mac,  who  sat  in  the  shade  pricking  nuts,  and 
who  knew  by  ex23erience  what  a  capital  little  Scheher- 
azade his  cousin  was. 

"Yes,  we  poor  monkeys  can't  burn  our  paws  for 
nothing,  so  tell  away.  Pussy,"  added  Charlie,  as  he 
threw  several  hot  nuts  into  her  lap  and  shook  his  fin- 
gers afterward. 

"  Well,  I  happen  to  have  a  little  story  with  a  moral 
to  it  in  my  mind,  and  I  will  tell  it,  though  it  is  in- 
tended for  younger  children  than  you,"  answered  Kose, 
who  was  rather  fond  of  telling  instructive  tales. 

"  Fire  away,"  said  Geordie,  and  she  obeyed,  little 
thinking  what  a  disastrous  story  it  would  prove  to  her- 
self. 

"  Well,  once  apon  a  time,  a  little  girl  went  to  see  a 
young  lady  who  was  very  fond  of  her.  Now,  the  young 
lady  happened  to  be  lame,  and  had  to  have  her  foot 
bandaged  up  every  day;  so  she  kept  a  basketful  of 
bandages,  all  nicely  rolled  and  ready.  The  little  girl 
liked  to  play  with  this  basket,  and  one  day,  when  she 
thought  no  one  saw  her,  she  took  one  of  the  rolls  with- 
out asking  leave,  and  put  it  in  her  pocket." 

Here  Pokey,  who  had  been  peering  lovingly  down 
at  the  five  warm  nuts  that. lay  at  the  bottom  of  her 
tiny  pocket,  suddenly  looked  up  and  said,  "  Oh  !  "  in  a 
startled  tone,  as  if  the  moral  tale  had  become  intensely 
interesting  all  at  once. 

Rose  heard  and  saw  the  innocent  betrayal  of  the 


EAR-RINGS.  175 

small  sinner,  and  Avent  on  in  a  most  imj^ressive  man- 
ner, while  the  boys  nudged  one  another  and  winked  as 
they  caught  the  joke. 

"  But  an  eye  did  see  this  naughty  little  girl,  and 
whose  eye  do  you  think  it  was  ?  " 

"  Eye  of  Dod,"  murmured  conscience-stricken  Pokey, 
spreading  two  chubby  little  hands  before  the  round 
face,  which  they  were  not  half  big  enough  to  hide. 

Rose  was  rather  taken  aback  by  this  reply,  but, 
feeling  that  she  was  producing  a  good  effect,  she 
added,  seriously,  — 

"  Yes,  God  saw  her,  and  so  did  the  young  lady,  but 
she  did  not  say  any  thing;  she  waited  to  see  what  the 
little  girl  would  do  about  it.  She  had  been  very 
happy  before  she  took  the  bandage,  but  when  it  was 
in  her  j^ocket  she  seemed  troubled,  and  pretty  soon 
stopped  playing  and  sat  down  in  a  corner,  looking 
very  sober.  She  thought  a  few  minutes,  and  then 
went  and  put  back  the  roll  very  softly,  and  her  face 
cleared  up,  and  she  was  a  happy  child  again.  The 
young  lady  was  glad  to  see  that,  and  wondered  what 
made  the  little  girl  put  it  back." 

"  Tonscience  j^'icked  her,"  murmured  a  contrite 
voice  from  behind  the  small  hands  j^ressed  tightly 
over  Pokey's  red  face. 

"And  why  did  she  take  it,  do  you  suppose?" 
asked  Rose,  in  a  school-marmish  tone,  feeling  that 
all  the  listeners  were  interested  in  her  tale  and  its 
unexpected  application. 

"  It  was  so  nice  and  wound,  and  she  wanted  it 
deffly,"  answered  the  little  voice. 

"Well,  I'm  glad  she  had  such  a  good  conscience. 


176  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

The  moral  is  that  people  who  steal  don't  enjoy  what 
they  take,  and  are  not  happy  till  they  put  it  back. 
What  makes  that  little  girl  hide  her  face?"  asked 
Rose,  as  she  concluded. 

"  Me 's  so  'shamed  of  Pokey,"  sobbed  the  small 
culprit,  quite  overcome  by  remorse  and  confusion  at 
this  awful  disclosure. 

"Come,  Rose,  it's  too  bad  to  tell  her  little  tricks 
before  every  one,  and  preach  at  her  in  tthat  way; 
you  wouldn't  like  it  yourself,"  began  Dr.  Alec,  tak- 
ing the  weeper  on  his  knee  and  administering  conso- 
lation in  the  shape  of  kisses  and  nuts. 

Before  Rose  could  express  her  regret,  Jamie,  who 
had  been  reddening  and  ruffling  like  a  little  turkey- 
cock  for  several  minutes,  burst  out  indignantly,  bent 
on  avenging  the  wound  given  to  his  beloved  dolly. 

"X  know  something  bad  that  you  did,  and  I'm 
going  to  tell  right  out.  You  thought  w^e  didn't  see 
you,  but  we  did,  and  you  said  uncle  would  n't  like  it, 
and  the  boys  would  tease,  and  you  made  Annabel 
promise  not  to  tell,  and  she  punched  holes  in  your 
ears  to  put  ear-rings  in.  So  now !  and  that 's  much 
badder  than  to  take  an  old  piece  of  rag ;  and  I  hate 
you  for  making  my  Pokey  cry." 

Jamie's  somewhat  incoherent  explosion  produced 
such  an  effect  that  Pokey's  small  sin  was  instantly 
forgotten,  and  Rose  felt  that  her  hour  had  come. 

"  What !  what !  what ! "  cried  the  boys  in  a  chorus, 
dropping  their  shovels  and  knives  to  gather  round 
Rose,  for  a  guilty  clutching  at  her  ears  betrayed  her, 
and  with  a  feeble  cry  of  "  Annabel  made  me  ! "  she 
hid  her  head  among  the  pillows  like  an  absurd  little 
ostrich. 


EAR-RINGS.  177 

"  Now  she  '11  go  prancing  round  with  bird-cages 
and  baskets  and  carts  and  pigs,  for  all  I  know,  in 
her  ears,  as  the  other  girls  do,  and  won't  she  look 
like  a  goose  ? "  asked  one  tormentor,  tweaking  a  curl 
that  strayed  out  from  the  cushions. 

"  I  did  n't  think  she  'd  be  so  silly,"  said  Mac,  in  a 
tone  of  disappointment  that  told  Rose  she  had  sunk 
in  the  esteem  of  her  wise  cousin. 

"  That  Bliss  girl  is  a  nuisance,  and  ought  not  to  be 
allowed  to  come  here  with  her  nonsensical  notions," 
said  the  Prince,  feeling  a  strong  desire  to  shake  that 
young  person  as  an  angry  dog  might  shake  a  mis- 
chievous kitten. 

"How  do  you  like  it,  uncle?"  asked  Archie,  who, 
being  the  head  of  a  family  himself,  believed  in  pre- 
serving discipline  at  all  costs. 

"  I  am  very  much  surprised ;  but  I  see  she  is  a 
girl,  after  all,  and  must  have  her  vanities  like  all  the 
rest  of  them,"  answered  Dr.  Alec,  with  a  sigh,  as  if 
he  had  expected  to  find  Rose  a  sort  of  angel,  above 
all  earthly  temptation. 

"What  shall  you  do  about  it,  sir?"  inquired 
Geordie,  wondering  what  punishment  would  be  in- 
flicted on  a  feminine  culprit. 

"As  she  is  fond  of  ornaments,  perhaps  we  had 
better  give  her  a  nose-ring  also.  I  have  one  some- 
where that  a  Fiji  belle  once  wore;  I'll  look  it  up," 
and,  leaving  Pokey  to  Jamie's  care,  Dr.  Alec  rose 
as  if  to  carry  out  his  suggestion  in  earnest. 

"  Good  !  good  !  We  '11  do  it  right  away !  Here 's 
a  gimlet,  so  you  hold  her,  boys,  while  I  get  her  dear 
little  nose  all  ready,"  cried  Charlie,  whisking  away 

8*  L 


1T8  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

the  pillows  as  the  other  boys  danced  about  the  sot'a 
in  true  Fiji  style. 

It  was  a  dreadful  moment,  for  Rose  could  not  run 
away, —  she  could  only  grasp  her  precious  nose  with 
one  hand  and  extend  the  other,  crying  distractedly,  — 

"  O  uncle,  save  me,  save  me !  " 

Of  course  he  saved  her ;  and  when  she  was  securely 
barricaded  by  his  strong  arm,  she  confessed  her  folly 
in  such  humiliation  of  spirit  that  the  lads,  after  a 
good  laugh  at  her,  decided  to  forgive  her  and  lay 
all  the  blame  on  the  tempter,  Annabel.  Even  Dr. 
Alec  relented  so  far  as  to  propose  two  gold  rings 
for  the  ears  instead  of  one  copper  one  for  the  nose ; 
a  proceeding  which  proved  that  if  Rose  had  all  the 
weakness  of  her  sex  for  jewellery,  he  had  all  the  in- 
consistency of  his  in  giving  a  pretty  penitent  exactly 
what  she  wanted,  spite  of  his  better  judgment. 


CHAPTER    XYL 

BREAD  AND  BUTTON-HOLES. 

"  "XT  7HAT  in  the  world  is  my  girl  thinking  about 
V  V  all  alone  here,  with  such  a  solemn  face  ? " 
asked  Dr.  Alec,  coming  into  the  study,  one  November 
day,  to  find  Rose  sitting  there  with  folded  hands  and 
a  very  thoughtful  aspect. 

"  Uncle,  I  want  to  have  some  serious  conversation 
with  you,  if  you  have  time,"  she  said,  coming  out  of  a 
brown  study,  as  if  she  had  not  heard  his  question. 

"  I  'm  entirely  at  your  service,  and  most  happy  to 
listen,"  he  answered,  in  his  politest  manner,  for  when 
Rose  put  on  her  womanly  little  airs  he  always  treated 
her  with  a  playful  sort  of  respect  that  pleased  her  very 
much. 

Now,  as  he  sat  down  beside  her,  she  said,  very  so- 
berly, — 

"I've  been  trying  to  decide  what  trade  I  would 
learn,  and  I  want  you  to  advise  me." 

"  Trade,  my  dear  ?  "  and  Dr.  Alec  looked  so  aston- 
ished that  she  hastened  to  explain. 

"  I  forgot  that  you  did  n't  hear  the  talk  about  it  up 
at  Cosey  Corner.  You  see  we  used  to  sit  under  the 
pines  and  sew,  and  talk  a  great  deal,  —  all  the  ladies,  I 


180  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

mean,  —  and  I  liked  it  very  much.  Mother  Atkinson 
thought  that  every  one  should  have  a  trade,  or  some- 
thing to  make  a  living  out  of,  for  rich  people  may  grow 
poor,-  you  know,  and  poor  people  have  to  work.  Her 
girls  were  very  clever,  and  could  do  ever  so  many 
things,  and  Aunt  Jessie  thought  the  old  lady  was 
right;  so  when  I  saw  how  happy  and  independent 
those  young  ladies  Avere,  I  wanted  to  have  a  trade,  and 
then  it  would  n't  matter  about  money,  though  I  like  to 
have  it  well  enough." 

Dr.  Alec  listened  to  this  explanation  with  a  curious 
mixture  of  surprise,  pleasure,  and  amusement  in  his 
face,  and  looked  at  his  little  niece  as  if  she  had  sud- 
denly changed  into  a  young  woman.  She  had  grown 
a  good  deal  in  the  last  six  months,  and  an  amount  of 
thinking  had  gone  on  in  that  young  head  which  would 
have  astonished  him  greatly  could  he  have  known  it 
all,  for  Rose  was  one  of  the  children  who  observe  and 
meditate  much,  and  now  and  then  nonplus  their  friends 
by  a  wise  or  curious  remark. 

"  I  quite  agree  with  the  ladies,  and  shall  be  glad  to 
help  you  decide  on  something  if  I  can,"  said  the  Doctor 
seriously.  "  What  do  you  incline  to  ?  A  natural  taste 
or  talent  is  a  great  help  in  choosing,  you  know." 

"  I  have  n't  any  talent,  or  any  especial  taste  that  I 
can  see,  and  that  is  why  I  can't  decide,  uncle.  So,  I 
think  it  would  be  a  good  plan  to  pick  out  some  very 
useful  business  and  learn  it,  because  I  don't  do  it  for 
pleasure,  you  see,  but  as  a  part  of  my  education,  and 
to  be  ready  in  case  I  'm  ever  poor,"  answered  Rose, 
looking  as  if  she  rather  longed  for  a  little  poverty  so 
that  her  useful  gift  might  be  exercised. 


BREAD   AND  BUTTON-HOLES,  181 

"  Well,  now,  there  is  one  very  excellent,  necessary, 
and  womanly  accomplishment  that  no  girl  should  be 
without,  for  it  is  a  help  to  rich  and  j^oor,  and  the  com- 
fort of  families  depends  upon  it.  This  fine  talent  is 
neglected  nowadays,  and  considered  old-fashioned, 
which  is  a  sad  mistake,  and  one  that  I  don't  mean  to 
make  in  bringing  up  my  girl.  It  should  be  a  part  of 
every  girl's  education,  and  I  know  of  a  most  accom- 
plished lady  who  will  teach  you  in  the  best  and  pleas- 
antest  manner." 

"  Oh,  what  is  it  ? "  cried  Rose  eagerly,  charmed  to 
be  met  in  this  heljDful  and  cordial  way. 

"  Housekeeping !  "  answered  Dr.  Alec. 

"Is  that  an  accomplishment?"  asked  Rose,  while 
her  face  fell,  for  she  had  indulged  in  all  sorts  of  vague, 
delightful  dreams. 

"  Yes ;  it  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  as  well  as  use- 
ful of  all  the  arts  a  woman  can  learn.  Not  so  roman- 
tic, perhaps,  as  singing,  painting,  writing,  or  teaching, 
even ;  but  one  that  makes  many  happy  and  comforta- 
ble, and  home  the  sweetest  place  in  the  world.  Yes, 
you  may  open  your  big  eyes ;  but  it  is  a  fact  that  I 
had  rather  see  you  a  good  housekeeper  than  the  great- 
est belle  in  the  city.  It  need  not  interfere  with  any 
talent  you  may  possess,  but  it  is  a  necessary  part  of 
your  training,  and  I  hope  that  you  will  set  about  it  at 
once,  now  that  you  are  well  and  strong  " 

"Who  is  the  lady?"  asked  Rose,  rather  impressed 
by  her  uncle's  earnest  speech. 

"  Aunt  Plenty." 

"  Is  she  accomplished  ?  "  began  Rose  in  a  wondering 
tone,  for  this  great-aunt  of  hers  had  seemed  the  least 
rnltivated  of  them  all. 


182  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  In  tlie  good  old-fashioned  way  she  is  very  accom- 
plished, and  has  made  this  house  a  happy  home  to  us 
all,  ever  since  we  can  remember.  She  is  not  elegant, 
but  genuinely  good,  and  so  beloved  and  respected  that 
there  will  be  universal  mourning  for  her  when  her  place 
is  empty.  No  one  can  fill  it,  for  the  solid,  homely 
virtues  of  the  dear  soul  have  gone  out  of  fashion,  as  I 
say,  and  nothing  new  can  be  half  so  satisfactory,  to  me 
at  least." 

"  I  should  like  to  have  people  feel  so  about  me.  Can 
she  teach  me  to  do  what  she  does,  and  to  grow  as 
good  ? "  asked  Rose,  Avith  a  little  prick  of  remorse  for 
even  thinking  that  Aunt  Plenty  was  a  commonplace 
old  lady. 

"  Yes,  if  you  don't  despise  such  simple  lessons  as  she 
can  give.  I  know  it  would  fill  her  dear  old  heart  with 
pride  and  pleasure  to  feel  that  any  one  cared  to  learn 
of  her,  for  she  fancies  her  day  gone  by.  Let  her  teach 
you  how  to  be  what  she  has  been,  —  a  skilful,  frugal, 
cheerful  housewife ;  the  maker  and  the  keeper  of  a 
happy  home,  and  by  and  by  you  will  see  what  a  val- 
uable lesson  it  is." 

"  I  will,  uncle.     But  how  shall  I  begin  ?" 

"  I  '11  speak  to  her  about  it,  and  she  will  make  it  all 
right  with  Dolly,  for  cooking  is  one  of  the  main  things, 
you  know." 

"  So  it  is  !  I  don't  mind  that  a  bit,  for  I  like  to 
mess,  and  used  to  try  at  home ;  but  I  had  no  one  to 
tell  me,  so  I  never  did  much  but  spoil  my  aprons. 
Pies  are  great  fun,  only  Dolly  is  so  cross,  I  don't 
believe  she  will  ever  let  me  do  a  thing  in  the  kitchen." 

"  Then    we  '11    cook   in   the   parlor.     I   fancy  Aunt 


BREAD  AND    BUTTON-HOLES.  183 

Plenty  will  manage  her,  so  don't  be  troubled.  Only 
mind  this,  I  'd  rather  you  learned  how  to  make  good 
bread  than  the  best  pies  ever  baked.  When  you  bring 
me  a  handsome,  wholesome  loaf,  entirely  made  by  your- 
self, I  shall  be  more  pleased  than  if  you  offered  me  a 
pair  of  slippers  embroidered  in  the  very  latest  style. 
I  don't  wish  to  bribe  you,  but  I  '11  give  you  my  hearti- 
est kiss,  and  promise  to  eat  every  crumb  of  the  loaf 
myself." 

"  It 's  a  bargain !  it 's  a  bargain  !  Come  and  tell 
aunty  all  about  it,  for  I'm  in  a  hurry  to  begin,"  cried 
Rose,  dancing  before  him  toward  the  parlor,  where 
Miss  Plenty  sat  alone  knitting  contentedly,  yet  ready 
to  run  at  the  first  call  for  help  of  any  sort,  from  any 
quarter. 

No  need  to  tell  how  surprised  and  gratified  she  was 
at  the  invitation  she  received  to  teach  the  child  the 
domestic  arts  which  were  her  only  accomplishments, 
nor  to  relate  how  energetically  she  set  about  her  pleas- 
ant task.  Dolly  dared  not  grumble,  for  Miss  Plenty 
was  the  one  person  whom  she  obeyed,  and  Phebe 
openly  rejoiced,  for  these  new  lessons  brought  Rose 
nearer  to  her,  and  glorified  the  kitchen  in  the  good 
girl's  eyes. 

To  tell  the  truth,  the  elder  aunts  had  sometimes  felt 
that  they  did  not  have  quite  their  share  of  the  little 
niece  who  had  won  their  hearts  long  ago,  and  was  the 
sunshine  of  the  house.  They  talked  it  over  together 
sometimes,  but  always  ended  by  saying  that  as  Alec 
had  all  the  responsibility,  he  should  have  the  larger 
share  of  the  dear  girl's  love  and  time,  and  they  would 
be  contented  with  such  crumbs  of  comfort  as  they 
could  get. 


184 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


Dr.  Alec  had  found  out  this  little  secret,  and,  after 
reproaching  himself  for  being  blind  and  selfish,  was 
trying  to  devise  some  way  of  mending  matters  with- 


r-)H 

ir^Bfi 

i'M^l 

UNCLE  ALEC  COULD  NOT  RESIST  PEEPING  IN  AT  THE  DOOU.  —  Page  185. 

out  troubling  any  one,  when  Rose's  new  whim  sug- 
gested an  excellent  method  of  weaning  her  a  little 
from  himself.     He  did  not  know  how  fond  he  was 


BREAD    AND   BUTTON-HOLES.  185 

of  her  till  he  gave  her  up  to  the  new  teacher,  and 
often  could  not  resist  peeping  in  at  the  door,  to  see 
how  she  got  on,  or  stealing  sly  looks  through  the 
slide  when  she  was  deep  in  dough,  or  listening  in- 
tently to  some  impressive  lecture  from  Aunt  Plenty. 
They  caught  him  at  it  now  and  then,  and  ordered 
him  off  the  premises  at  the  point  of  the  rolling-pin  ; 
or,  if  unusually  successful,  and,  ther'efore,  in  a  milder 
mood,  they  lured  him  away  with  bribes  of  ginger- 
bread, a  stray  pickle,  or  a  tart  that  was  not  quite 
symmetrical  enough  to  suit  their  critical  eyes. 
■  Of  course  he  made  a  point  of  partaking  copiously 
of  all  the  delectable  messes  that  now  appeared  at 
table,  for  both  the  cooks  were  on  their  mettle,  and 
he  fared  sumptuously  every  day.  But  an  especial 
relish  was  given  to  any  dish  when,  in  reply  to  his 
honest  praise  of  it.  Rose  colored  up  with  innocent 
pride,  and  said  modestly, — 

"I  made  that,  uncle,  and   I'm  glad  you  like  it." 

It  was  some  time  before  the  perfect  loaf  appeared, 
for  bread-making  is  an  art  not  easily  learned,  and 
Aunt  Plenty  was  very  thorough  in  her  teaching; 
so  Rose  studied  yeast  first,  and  through  various  stages 
of  cake  and  biscuit  came  at  last  to  the  crowning  glory 
of  the  "handsome,  wholesome  loaf."  It  appeared  at 
tea-time,  on  a  silver  salver,  proudly  borne  in  by 
Phebe,  who  could  not  refrain  from  whisj^ering,  with 
a  beaming  face,  as  she  set  it  down  before  Dr.  Alec,  — 

"  Ain't  it  just  lovely,  sir?  " 

"It  is  a  regularly  splendid  loaf!  Did  my  girl 
make  it  all  herself?"  he  asked,  surveying  the  shapely, 
sweet-smelling  object,  with  real  interest  and  pleasure. 


186  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"Every  particle  herself,  and  never  asked  a  bit  of 
help  or  advice  from  any  one,"  answered  Aunt  Plenty, 
folding  her  hands  with  an  air  of  unmitigated  satis- 
faction, for  her  pupil  certainly  did  her  great  credit. 

"I've  had  so  many  failures  and  troubles  that  I 
really  thought  I  never  should  be  able  to  do  it  alone. 
Dolly  let  one  splendid  batch  burn  up  because  I  forgot 
it.  She  was  there  and  smelt  it,  but  never  did  a  thing, 
for  she  said,  when  I  undertook  to  bake  bread  I  must 
give  my  whole  mind  to  it.  Wasn't  it  hard?  She 
might  have  called  me  at  least,"  said  Rose,  recollect- 
ing, wdth  a  sigh,  the  anguish  of  that  moment. 

"  She  meant  you  should  learn  by  experience,  as 
Rosamond  did  in  that  little  affair  of  the  purple  jar, 
you  remember." 

"  I  always  thought  it  very  unfair  in  her  mother 
not  to  warn  the  poor  thing  a  little  bit ;  and  she  was 
regularly  mean  when  Rosamond  asked  for  a  bowl  to 
put  the  purple  stuff  in,  and  she  said,  in  such  a  pro- 
voking way,  '  I  did  not  agree  to  lend  you  a  bowl,  but 
I  will,  my  dear.'  Ugh !  I  always  want  to  shake 
that  hateful  woman,  though  she  was  a  moral  mamma." 

"  Never  mind  her  now,  but  tell  me  all  about  my 
loaf,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  much  amused  at  Rose's  burst  of 
indignation. 

"  There  's  nothing  to  tell,  uncle,  except  that  I  did 
my  best,  gave  my  mind  to  it,  and  sat  watching  over 
it  all  the  while  it  was  in  the  oven  till  I  was  quite 
baked  myself.  Every  thing  went  right  this  time,  and 
it  came  out  a  nice,  round,  crusty  loaf,  as  you  see. 
Now  taste  it,  and  tell  me  if  it  is  good  as  well  as  hand- 
Kome." 


BREAD    AND   BUTTON-HOLES.  187 

"  Must  I  cut  it  ?  Can't  I  put  it  under  a  glass  cover 
and  keep  it  in  the  parlor  as  tliey  do  wax  flowers  and 
fine  w^orks  of  that  sort  ?  " 

"  What  an  idea,  uncle !  It  would  mould  and  be 
spoilt.  Besides,  peojDle  would  laugh  at  us,  and  make 
fun  of  my  old-fashioned  accomplishment.  You  prom- 
ised to  eat  it,  and  you  must ;  not  all  at  once,  but  as 
soon  as  you  can,  so  I  can  make  you  some  more." 

Dr.  Alec  solemnly  cut  off  his  favorite  crusty  slice, 
and  solemnly  ate  it ;  then  wiped  his  lips,  and  brush- 
ing back  Rose's  hair,  solemnly  kissed  her  on  the  fore- 
head, saying  heartily, — 

"  My  dear,  it  is  perfect  bread,  and  you  are  an  honor 
to  your  teacher.  When  we  have  our  model  school 
I  shall  offer  a  prize  for  the  best  bread,  and  you  will 
get  it." 

"  I  've  got  it  already,  and  I  'm  quite  satisfied,"  said 
Rose,  slipping  into  her  seat,  and  trying  to  hide  her 
right  hand  which  had  a  burn  on  it. 

But  Dr.  Alec  saw  it,  guessed  how  it  came  there, 
and  after  tea  insisted  on  easing  the  pain  which  she 
w^ould  hardly  confess. 

"  Aunt  Clara  says  I  am  spoiling  my  hands,  but  I 
don't  care,  for  I've  had  such  good  times  with  Aunt 
Plenty,  and  I  think  she  has  enjoyed  it  as  much  as  I 
have.  Only  one  thing  troubles  me,  uncle,  and  I  want 
to  ask  you  about  it,"  said  Rose,  as  they  paced  up  and 
down  the  hall  in  the  twilight,  the  bandaged  hand  very 
carefully  laid  on  Dr.  Alec's  arm. 

"More  little  confidences?  I  like  them  immensely, 
so  tell  away,  my  dear." 

"  Well,  you  see  I  feel  as  if  Aunt  Peace  would  like 


188  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

to  do  something  for  me,  and  I  've  found  out  what  it 
can  be.  You  know  she  can't  go  about  like  Aunty 
Plen,  and  we  are  so  busy  nowadays  that  she  is  rather 
lonely,  I  'm  afraid.  So  I  want  to  take  lessons  in  sew- 
ing of  her.  She  w^orks  so  beautifully,  and  it  is  a 
useful  thing,  you  know,  and  I  ought  to  be  a  good 
needlewoman  as  well  as  housekeeper,  ought  n't  I  ?  " 

"  Bless  your  kind  little  heart,  that  is  what  I  was 
thinking  of  the  other  day  when  Aunt  Peace  said 
she  saw  you  very  seldom  now,  you  were  so  busy. 
I  wanted  to  speak  of  it,  but  fancied  you  had  as 
much  on  your  hands  as  you  could  manage.  It  would 
delight  the  dear  woman  to  teach  you  all  her  delicate 
handicraft,  especially  button-holes,  for  I  believe  that 
is  where  young  ladies  fail ;  at  least  I  've  heard  them 
say  so.  So,  do  you  devote  your  mind  to  button-holes  ; 
make  'em  all  over  my  clothes  if  you  want  something 
to  practice  on.     I  '11  wear  any  quantity." 

Rose  laughed  at  this  reckless  offer,  but  promised 
to  attend  to  that  important  branch,  though  she  con- 
fessed that  darning  was  her  weak  point.  Whereupon 
Uncle  Alec  engaged  to  supply  her  with  socks  in  all 
stages  of  dilapidation,  and  to  have  a  new  set  at  once, 
so  that  she  could  run  the  heels  for  him  as  a  pleasant 
beginning. 

Then  they  went  up  to  make  their  request  in  due 
form,  to  the  great  delight  of  gentle  Aunt  Peace,  w^ho 
got  quite  excited  with  the  fun  that  went  on  while 
they  w^ound  yarn,  looked  up  darning-needles,  and 
fitted  out  a  nice  little  mending  basket  for  her  pupil. 

Very  busy  and  very  happy  were  Rose's  days  now, 
for  in  the  morninsr  she  went  about  the  house  with 


BREAD    AND    BUTTON-HOLES.  189 

Aunt  Plenty  attending  to  linen-closets  and  store- 
rooms, pickling  and  preserving,  exploring  garret  and 
cellar  to  see  that  all  was  right,  and  learning,  in  the 
good  old-fashioned  manner,  to  look  well  after  the 
ways  of  the  household. 

In  the  afternoon,  after  her  walk  or  drive,  she  sat 
with  Aunt  Peace  plying  her  needle,  while  Aunt 
Plenty,  whose  eyes  were  failing,  knit  and  chatted 
briskly,  telling  many  a  pleasant  story  of  old  times, 
till  the  three  were  moved  to  laugh  and  cry  together, 
for  the  busy  needles  were  embroidering  all  sorts  of 
bright  patterns  on  the  lives  of  the  workers,  though 
they  seemed  to  be  only  stitching  cotton  and  darning 
hose. 

It  was  a  pretty  sight  to  see  the  rosy-faced  little 
maid  sitting  between  the  two  old  ladies,  listening  du- 
tifully to  their  instructions,  and  cheering  the  lessons 
with  her  lively  chatter  and  blithe  laugh.  If  the  kitchen 
had  proved  attractive  to  Dr.  Alec  when  Rose  was  there 
at  work,  the  sewing-room  was  quite  irresistible,  and  he 
made  himself  so  agreeable  that  no  one  had  the  heart 
to  drive  him  away,  especially  when  he  read  aloud  or 
spun  yarns. 

"  There !  I  've  made  you  a  new  set  of  warm  night- 
gowns with  four  button-holes  in  each.  See  if  they  are 
not  neatly  done,"  said  Rose,  one  day,  some  weeks  after 
the  new  lessons  began. 

"  Even  to  a  thread,  and  nice  little  bars  across  the 
end  so  I  can't  tear  them  when  I  twitch  the  buttons 
out.  Most  superior  work,  ma'am,  and  I  'm  deeply 
grateful ;  so  much  so,  that  I  '11  sew  on  these  buttons 
myself,  and  save  those  tired  fingers  from  another 
prick." 


190  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  You  sew  them  on  ? "  cried  Rose,  with  her  eyes 
wide  oj^en  in  amazement. 

"  Wait  a  bit  till  I  get  my  sewing  tackle,  and  then 
you  shall  see  what  I  can  do." 

"  Can  he,  really  ? "  asked  Rose  of  Aunt  Peace,  as 
Uncle  Alec  marched  off  with  a  comical  air  of  impor- 
tance. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  taught  him  years  ago,  before  he  went 
to  sea;  and  I  suppose  he  has  had  to  do  things  for 
himself,  more  or  less,  ever  since ;  so  he  has  kept  his 
hand  in." 

He  evidently  had,  for  he  was  soon  back  with  a  funny 
little  work-bag,  out  of  which  he  produced  a  thimble 
without  a  top ;  and,  having  threaded  his  needle,  he 
proceeded  to  sew  on  the  buttons  so  handily  that  Rose 
was  much  impressed  and  amused. 

"  I  wonder  if  there  is  any  thing  in  the  world  that 
you  cannot  do,"  she  said,  in  a  tone  of  respectful  ad- 
miration. 

"There  are  one  or  two  things  that  T  am  not  up  to 
yet,"  he  answered,  with  a  laugh  in  the  corner  of  his 
eye,  as  he  waxed  his  thread  with  a  flourish. 

"I  should  like  to  know  what?" 

"Bread  and  button-holes,  ma'am." 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

GOOD   BARGAINS. 

IT  was  a  rainy  Sunday  afternoon,  and  four  boys  were 
trying  to  spend  it  quietly  in  the  "  liberry,"  as 
Jamie  called  the  room  devoted  to  books  and  boys,  at 
Aunt  Jessie's.  Will  and  Geordie  were  sprawling  on 
the  sofa,  deep  in  the  adventures  of  the  scapegraces 
and  ragamuffins  whose  histories  are  now  the  fashion. 
Archie  lounged  in  the  easy  chair  surrounded  by  news- 
papers ;  Charlie  stood  upon  the  rug,  in  an  Englishman's 
favorite  attitude,  and,  I  regret  to  say,  both  were  smok- 
ing cigars. 

"  It  is  my  opinion  that  this  day  will  never  come  to 
an  end,"  said  Prince,  with  a  yawn  that  nearly  rent 
him  asunder. 

"  Read  and  improve  your  mind,  my  son,"  answered 
Archie,  peering  solemnly  over  the  paper  behind  which 
he  had  been  dozing. 

"  Don't  you  preach,  parson  ;  but  put  on  your  boots 
and  come  out  for  a  tramp,  instead  of  mulling  over  the 
fire  like  a  granny." 

"  No,  thank  you,  tramps  in  an  easterly  storm  don't 
strike  me  as  amusing."  There  Archie  stopped  and 
held  up  his  hand,  for  a  pleasant  voice  was  heard  saying 
outside,  — 


192 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


"  Are  the  boys  in  the  libi  .^ry,  auntie  ?  " 
"  Yes,  dear,  and  longing  for  sunshine  ;  so  run  in  and 
make  it  for  them,"  answered  Mrs.  Jessie. 


"It's   Rose,"  and   Areliie  threw  liis  cigar  into  tlie 
fire. 

"  What's  that  for?"  asked  Cliarhe. 


GOOD    BARGAINS.  193 

"  Gentlemen  don't  smoke  before  ladies." 

"  True  ;  but  I  'm  not  going  to  waste  my  weed,"  and 
Prince  poked  his  into  the  empty  inkstand  that  served 
them  for  an  ash  tray. 

A  gentle  tap  at  the  door  was  answered  by  a  chorus 
of  "  Come  in,"  and  Rose  appeared,  looking  blooming 
and  breezy  with  the  chilly  air. 

"  If  I  disturb  you,  say  so,  and  I  '11  go  away,"  she 
began,  pausing  on  the  threshold  with  modest  hesita- 
tion, for  something  in  the  elder  boys'  faces  excited  her 
curiosity. 

"  You  never  disturb  us,  cousin,"  said  the  smokers, 
while  the  readers  tore  themselves  from  the  heroes  of 
the  bar-room  and  gutter  long  enough  to  nod  affably  to 
their  guest. 

As  Rose  bent  to  warm  her  hands,  one  end  of  Archie's 
cigar  stuck  out  of  the  ashes,  smoking  furiously  and 
smelling  strongly. 

"  Oh,  you  bad  boys,  how  could  you  do  it,  to-day  of 
all  days?"  she  said  reproachfully. 

"Where's  the  harm?"  asked  Archie. 

"  You  know  as  well  as  I  do  ;  your  mother  does  n't 
like  it,  and  it's  a  bad  habit,  for  it  wastes  money  and 
does  you  no  good." 

"  Fiddle-sticks !  every  man  smokes,  even  Uncle  Alec, 
whom  you  think  so  perfect,"  began  Charlie,  in  his 
teasing  way. 

"No,  he  doesn't!  He  has  given  it  up,  and  I  know 
why,"  cried  Rose  eagerly. 

"Now  I  think  of  it,  I  haven't  seen  the  old  meer- 
schaum since  he  came  home.  Did  he  stop  it  on  our 
account?"  asked  Archie. 

y  M 


194  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

"  Yes,"  and  Rose  told  the  little  scene  on  the  sea- 
shore in  the  camping-out  time. 

Archie  seemed  much  impressed,  and  said  manfully,  — 
"  He  won't  have  done  that  in  vain  so  far  as  I  'm  con- 
cerned. I  don't  care  a  pin  about  smoking,  so  can  give 
it  up  as  easy  as  not,  and  I  promise  you  I  will.  I  only 
do  it  now  and  then  for  fun." 

"  You  too  ? "  and  Rose  looked  up  at  the  bonny 
Prince,  who  never  looked  less  bonny  than  at  that  mo- 
ment, for  he  had  resumed  his  cigar,  just  to  torment 
her. 

Now  Charlie  cared  as  little  as  Archie  about  smok- 
ing, but  it  would  not  do  to  yield  too  soon  ;  so  he  shook 
his  head,  gave  a  great  puff,  and  said  loftily,  — 

"  You  women  are  always  asking  us  to  give  uj)  harm- 
less little  things,  just  because  you  don't  approve  of 
them.  How  would  you  like  it  if  we  did  the  same  by 
you.  Miss  ?  " 

"  If  I  did  harmful  or  silly  things,  I  'd  thank  you  for 
telling  me  of  them,  and  I  'd  try  to  mend  my  ways," 
answered  Rose  heartily. 

"Well,  now,  we'll  see  if  you  mean  wliat  you  say. 
I  '11  give  up  smoking  to  please  you,  if  you  will  give  up 
something  to  please  me,"  said  Prince,  seeing  a  good 
chance  to  lord  it  over  the  weaker  vessel  at  small  cost 
to  himself. 

"  I  '11  agree  if  it  is  as  foolish  as  cigars." 

"  Oh,  it 's  ever  so  much  sillier." 

"Then  I  promise;  what  is  it?"  and  Rose  quite 
trembled  with  anxiety  to  know  which  of  her  pet 
habits  or  possessions  she  must  lose. 

"  Give    uj)    your    ear-rings,"    and    Charlie    laughed 


GOOD    BARGAINS.  195 

wickedly,  sure  that  she  would  never  hold  to  that 
bargain. 

Rose  uttered  a  cry  and  clapped  both  hands  to  her 
ears  where  the  gold  rings  hung. 

"O  Charlie,  wouldn't  any  thing  else  do  as  well? 
I  've  been  through  so  much  teasing  and  trouble,  I  do 
want  to  enjoy  my  pretty  ear-rings,  for  I  can  wear 
them  now." 

"Wear  as  many  as  you  like,  and  I'll  smoke  in 
peace,"  returned  this  bad  boy. 

"  Will  notlmig  else  satisfy  you  ?  "  imploringly. 

"  Nothing,"  sternly. 

Rose  stood  silent  for  a  minute,  thinking  of  some- 
thing Aunt  Jessie  once  said,  —  "You  have  more  in- 
fluence over  the  boys  than  you  know;  use  it  for 
their  good,  and  I  shall  thank  you  all  my  life."  Here 
was  a  chance  to  do  some  good  by  sacrificing  a  little 
vanity  of  her  own.  She  felt  it  was  right  to  do  it, 
yet  found  it  very  hard,  and  asked  wistfully, — 

"  Do  you  mean  never  wear  them,  Charlie  ?  " 

"  Never.,  unless  you  want  me  to  smoke." 

"  I  never  do." 

"  Then  clinch  the  bargain." 

He  had  no  idea  she  would  do  it,  and  was  much 
surprised  when  she  took  the  dear  rings  from  her 
ears,  with  a  quick  gesture,  and  held  them  out  to 
him,  saying,  in  a  tone  that  made  the  color  come  up 
to  his  brown  cheek,  it  was  so  full  of  sweet  good 
will,— 

"I  care  more  for  my  cousins  than  for  my  ear- 
rings, so  I  promise,  and  I'll  keep  my  word." 

"For  shame,  Prince!  let  her  wear  her  little  dan- 


196  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

glers  if  she  likes,  and  don't  bargain  about  doing 
what  you  know  is  right,"  cried  Archie,  coming  out 
of  his  grove  of  newspapers  with  an  indignant  bounce. 

But  Rose  was  bent  on  showing  her  aunt  that  she 
could  use  her  influence  for  the  boys'  good,  and  said 
steadily,  — 

"It  is  fair,  and  I  want  it  to  be  so,  then  you  will 
believe  I'm  in  earnest.  Here,  each  of  you  wear  one 
of  these  on  your  watch-guard  to  remind  you.  I  shall 
not  forget,  because  very  soon  I  cannot  wear  ear-rings 
if  I  want  to." 

As  she  spoke.  Rose  offered  a  little  ring  to  each 
cousin,  and  the  boys,  seeing  how  sincere  she  was, 
obeyed  her.  When  the  pledges  were  safe.  Rose 
stretched  a  hand  to  each,  and  the  lads  gave  hers 
a  hearty  grip,  half  i)leased  and  half  ashamed  of  their 
part  in  the  compact. 

Just  at  that  moment  Dr.  Alec  and  Mrs.  Jessie 
came  in. 

"What's  this?  Dancing  Ladies  Triumph  on  Sun- 
day?" exclaimed  Uncle  Alec,  surveying  the  trio  witli 
surprise. 

"  No,  sir,  it  is  the  Anti-Tobacco  League.  Will 
you  join?"  said  Charlie,  while  Rose  slipped  away 
to  her  aunt,  and  Archie  buried  both  cigars  behind 
the  back  log. 

When  the  mystery  was  explained,  the  elders  were 
well  pleased,  and  Rose  received  a  vote  of  thanks, 
which  made  her  feel  as  if  she  had  done  a  service  to 
her  country,  as  she  had,  for  every  boy  wlio  grows  up 
free  from  bad  habits  bids  fair  to  make  a  good  citizen. 

"I  wish  Rose  would  drive    a   baro;ain   with    Will 


GOOD   BARGAINS.  197 

and  Geordie  also,  for  I  think  these  books  are  as 
bad  for  the  small  boys  as  cigars  for  the  large  ones," 
said  Mrs.  Jessie,  sitting  down  on  the  sofa  between 
the  readers,  who  politely  curled  up  their  legs  to 
make  room  for  her. 

"I  thought  they  were  all  the  fashion,"  answered 
Dr.  Alec,  settling  in  the  big  chair  with  Rose. 

"So  is  smoking,  but  it  is  harmful.  The  writers 
of  these  popular  stories  intend  to  do  good,  I  have 
no  doubt,  but  it  seems  to  me  they  fail  because  their 
motto  is,  'Be  smart,  and  you  will  be  rich,'  instead 
of  'Be  honest,  and  you  will  be  happy.'  I  do  not 
judge  hastily.  Alec,  for  I  have  read  a  dozen,  at  least, 
of  these  stories,  and,  with  much  that  is  attractive  to 
boys,  I  find  a  great  deal  to  condemn  in  them,  and 
other  parents  say  the  same  when  I  ask  them." 

"  Now,  Mum,  that's  too  bad !  I  like  'era  tip-top. 
This  one  is  a  regular  screamer,"  cried  Will. 

"They're  bully  books,  and  I'd  like  to  know  where's 
the  harm,"  added  Geordie. 

"You  have  just  shown  us  one  of  the  chief  evils, 
and  that  is  slang,"  answered  their  mother  quickly. 

"Must  have  it,  ma'am.  If  these  chaps  talked  all 
right,  there 'd  be  no  fun  in   'em,"  protested  Will. 

"A  boot-black  7nust7iH  use  good  grammar,  and  a 
newsboy  must  swear  a  little,  or  he  wouldn't  be 
natural,"  explained  Geordie,  both  boys  ready  to  fight 
gallantly  for  their  favorites. 

"  But  my  sons  are  neither  boot-blacks  nor  news- 
boys, and  I  object  to  hearing  them  use  such  words  as 
*  screamer,'  'bully,'  and  'buster.'  In  fact,  I  fail  to 
see  the  advantage  of  writing  books  about  such  people 


198  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

unless  it  is  done  in  a  very  different  way.  I  cannot 
think  they  will  help  to  refine  the  ragamuflfins,  if  they 
read  them,  and  I  'm  sure  they  can  do  no  good  to  tlie 
better  class  of  boys,  who  through  these  books  are 
introduced  to  police  courts,  counterfeiters'  dens,  gam- 
bling houses,  drinking  saloons,  and  all  sorts  of  low 
life." 

"Some  of  them  are  about  first-rate  boys,  mother; 
and  they  go  to  sea  and  study,  and  sail  round  the 
world,  having  great  larks  all  the  way." 

"  I  have  read  about  them,  Geordie,  and  though  they 
are  better  than  the  others,  I  am  not  satisfied  with 
these  ojytical  delusions,  as  I  call  them.  Now,  I  put  it 
to  you,  boys,  is  it  natural  for  lads  from  fifteen  to 
eighteen  to  command  ships,  defeat  pirates,  outwit 
smugglers,  and  so  cover  themselves  with  glory,  that 
Admiral  Farragut  invites  them  to  dinner,  saying : 
'  Noble  boy,  you  are  an  honor  to  your  country  ! '  Or, 
if  the  hero  is  in  the  army,  he  has  hair-breadth  escapes 
and  adventures  enough  in  one  small  volume  to  turn 
his  hair  white,  and  in  the  end  he  goes  to  Washington 
at  the  express  desire  of  the  President  or.  Commander- 
in-Chief  to  be  promoted  to  no  end  of  stars  and  bars. 
Even  if  the  hero  is  merely  an  honest  boy  trying  to 
get  his  living,  he  is  not  permitted  to  do  so  in  a  natural 
way,  by  hard  woi'k  and  years  of  patient  effort,  but 
is  suddenly  adopted  by  a  millionaire  whose  pocket-book 
he  has  returned;  or  a  rich  uncle  appears  from  sea, 
just  in  the  nick  of  time ;  or  the  remarkable  boy  earns 
a  few  dollars,  speculates  in  pea-nuts  or  neckties,  and 
grows  rich  so  rapidly  that  Sinbad  in  the  diamond  val- 
ley is  a  pauper  compared  to  him.     Is  n't  it  so,  boys  ?  '* 


GOOD   BARGAINS.  199 

"  Well,  the  fellows  in  these  books  are  mighty  lucky, 
and  very  smart,  I  must  say,"  answered  Will,  surveying 
an  illustration  on  the  open  page  before  him,  where  a 
small  but  virtuous  youth  is  upsetting  a  tipsy  giant  in  a 
bar-room,  and  under  it  the  elegant  inscription  :  "  Dick 
Dauntless  punches  the  head  of  Sara  Soaker." 

"  It  gives  boys  such  wrong  ideas  of  life  and  busi- 
ness ;  shows  them  so  much  evil  and  vulgarity  that  they 
need  not  know  about,  and  makes  the  one  success  worth 
having  a  fortune,  a  lord's  daughter,  or  some  worldly 
honor,  often  not  worth  the  time  it  takes  to  win.  It 
does  seem  to  me  that  some  one  might  write  stories  that 
should  be  lively,  natural,  and  helpful,  —  tales  in  which 
the  English  should  be  good,  the  morals  pure,  and  the 
characters  such  as  we  can  love  in  spite  of  the  faults 
that  all  may  have.  I  can't  bear  to  see  such  crowds  of 
eager  little  fellows  at  the  libraries  reading  such  trash ; 
weak,  when  it  is  not  wdcked,  and  totally  unfit  to  feed 
the  hungry  minds  that  feast  on  it  for  want  of  some- 
thing better.  There !  my  lecture  is  done ;  now  I 
should  like  to  hear  what  you  gentlemen  have  to  say," 
and  Aunt  Jessie  subsided  with  a  pretty  flush  on  the 
face  that  was  full  of  motherly  anxiety  for  her  boys. 

"Tom  Brown  just  suits  mother,  and  me  too,  so  I 
wish  Mr.  Hughes  would  write  another  story  as  good," 
said  Archie. 

"  You  don't  find  things  of  this  sort  in  Tom  Brown  ; 
yet  these  books  are  all  in  the  Sunday-school  libraries  " 
—  and  Mrs.  Jessie  read  the  following  paragraph  from 
the  book  she  had  taken  from  Will's  hand  :  — 

" '  In  this  place  we  saw  a  tooth  of  John  the  Baptist. 
Ben  said  he  could  see  locust  and  wild  honey  sticking 


•200  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

to  it.  I  could  n't.  Perhaps  John  used  a  jDiece  of  the 
true  cross  for  a  toothpick.'  " 

"  A  larky  sort  of  a  boy  says  that,  Mum,  and  we 
fikij^  the  parts  where  they  describe  what  they  saw  in 
the  different  countries,"  cried  Will. 

"And  those  descriptions,  taken  mostly  from  guide- 
books, I  fancy,  are  the  only  parts  of  any  real  worth. 
The  scrapes  of  the  bad  boys  make  up  the  rest  of  the 
story,  and  it  is  for  those  you  read  these  books,  I  think," 
answered  his  mother,  stroking  back  the  hair  off  the 
honest  little  face  that  looked  rather  abashed  at  this 
true  statement  of  the  case. 

"Any  way,  mother,  the  ship  part  is  useful,  for  we 
learn  how  to  sail  her,  and  by  and  by  that  will  all  come 
handy  when  we  go  to  sea,"  put  in  Geordie. 

"Indeed;  then  you  can  explain  this  manoeuvre  to 
me,  of  course — "  and  Mrs.  Jessie  read  from  another 
page  the  following  nautical  paragraph:  — 

"  The  wind  is  south-south-west,  and  we  can  have  her 
up  four  points  closer  to  the  wind,  and  still  be  six  points 
off  the  wind.  As  she  luffs  up  we  shall  man  the  fore 
and  main  sheets,  slack  on  the  weather,  and  haul  on  the 
lee  braces." 

"  I  guess  I  could,  if  I  was  n't  afraid  of  uncle.  He 
knows  so  much  more  than  I  do,  he'd  laugh,"  began 
Geordie,  evidently  puzzled  by  the  question. 

"Ho,  you  know  you  can't,  so  why  make  believe? 
We  don't  understand  half  of  the  sea  lingo,  Mum,  and 
I  dare  say  it 's  all  wrong,"  cried  Will,  suddenly  going 
over  to  the  enemy,  to  Geordie's  great  disgust. 

"  I  do  wish  the  boys  would  n't  talk  to  me  as  if  I  was 
a  ship,"  said  Rose,  bringing  forward  a  private  grievance. 


GOOD   BARGAINS.  201 

"Coming  home  from  church,  this  morning,  the  wind 
blew  me  about,  and  Will  called  out,  right  in  the  street, 
*  Brail  up  the  foresail,  and  take  in  the  flying-jib,  that 
will  ease  her.' " 

The  boys  shouted  at  the  plaintive  tone  in  which 
Rose  repeated  the  words  that  offended  her,  and  Will 
vainly  endeavored  to  explain  that  he  only  meant  to 
tell  her  to  wrap  her  cloak  closer,  and  tie  a  veil  over 
the  tempest-tossed  feathers  in  her  hat. 

"To  tell  the  truth,  if  the  boys  must  have  slang,  I 
can  bear  the  'sea  lingo,'  as  Will  calls  it,  better  than 
the  other.  It  afflicts  me  less  to  hear  my  sons  talk 
about  '  brailing  up  the  foresail '  than  doing  as  they 
'  darn  please,'  and  '  cut  your  cable '  is  decidedly  prefer- 
able to  '  let  her  rip.'  I  once  made  a  rule  that  I  would 
have  no  slang  in  the  house.  I  give  it  up  now,  for  I 
cannot  keep  it ;  but  I  will  not  have  rubbishy  books  ; 
so,  Archie,  please  send  these  two  after  your  cigars." 

Mrs.  Jessie  held  both  the  small  boys  fast  with  an 
arm  round  each  neck,  and  when  she  took  this  base 
advantage  of  them  they  could  only  squirm  with  dis- 
may. "  Yes,  right  behind  the  back  log,"  she  continued, 
energetically.  "  There,  my  hearties  —  (you  like  sea 
slang,  so  I'll  give  you  a  bit)  —  now,  I  want  you  to 
promise  not  to  read  any  more  stuff  for  a  month,  and 
I  '11  agree  to  supply  you  with  wholesome  fare." 

"O  mother!  not  a  single  one?"  cried  Will. 

"Could  n't  we  just  finish  those?"  pleaded  Geordie. 

"The  boys  threw  away  half-smoked  cigars;  and  your 
books  must  go  after  them.  Surely  you  would  not  be 
outdone  by  the  '  old  fellows,'  as  you  call  them,  or  be 
less  obedient  to  little  Mum  than  they  were  to  Rose." 


202  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"Course  not!  Come  on,  Geordie,"  and  Will  tools 
the  vow  like  a  hero.  His  brother  sighed,  and  obeyed, 
but  privately  resolved  to  finish  his  story  the  minute 
the  month  was  over. 

"You  have  laid  out  a  hard  task  for  yourself,  Jessie, 
in  trying  to  provide  good  reading  for  boys  who  have 
been  living  on  sensation  stories.  It  will  be  like  going 
from  raspberry  tarts  to  plain  bread  and  butter;  but 
you  will  probably  save  them  from  a  bilious  fever,"  said 
Dr.  Alec,  much  amused  at  the  proceedings. 

"  I  remember  hearing  grandpa  say  that  a  love  for 
good  books  was  one  of  the  best  safeguards  a  man  could 
have,"  began  Archie,  staring  thoughtfully  at  the  fine 
library  before  him. 

"  Yes,  but  there 's  no  time  to  read  nowadays ;  a 
fellow  has  to  keep  scratching  round  to  make  money 
or  he  's  nobody,"  cut  in  Charlie,  trying  to  look  worldly- 
wise. 

"  This  love  of  money  is  the  curse  of  America,  and 
for  the  sake  of  it  men  will  sell  honor  and  honesty,  till 
we  don't  know  whom  to  trust,  and  it  is  only  a  genius 
like  Agassiz  who  dares  to  say,  '  I  cannot  waste  my  time 
in  getting  rich,' "  said  Mrs.  Jessie  sadly. 

"  Do  you  want  us  to  be  poor,  mother  ?  "  asked  Archie, 
wondering. 

"No,  dear,  and  you  never  need  be,  while  you  can 
use  your  hands  ;  but  I  am  afraid  of  this  thirst  for  wealth, 
and  the  temptations  it  brings.  O  ray  boys  !  I  trem- 
ble for  the  time  when  I  must  let  you  go,  because  I  think 
it  would  break  my  heart  to  have  you  f  lil  as  so  many 
fail.  It  would  be  fixr  easier  to  see  you  dead  if  it  could 
be  said  of  you  as  of  Sumner,  — '  No  man  dared  offer 
him  a  bribe.'" 


GOOD   BARGAINS.  203 

Mrs.  Jessie  was  so  earnest  in  her  motherly  anxiety 
that  her  voice  faltered  over  the  last  words,  and  she 
hugged  the  yellow  heads  closer  in  her  arms,  as  if  she 
feared  to  let  them  leave  that  safe  harbor  for  the  great 
sea  whei-e  so  many  little  boats  go  down.  The  younger 
lads  nestled  closer  to  her,  and  Archie  said,  in  his  quiet, 
resolute  way, — 

"I  cannot  promise  to  be  an  Agassiz  or  a*Sumner, 
mother ;  but  I  do  promise  to  be  an  honest  man,  please 
God." 

"Then  I'm  satisfied!"  and  holding  fast  the  hand  he 
gave  her,  she  sealed  his  promise  with  a  kiss  that  had 
all  a  mother's  hope  and  faith  in-  it. 

"  I  don't  see  how  tliey  ever  can  be  bad,  she  is  so 
fond  and  proud  of  them,"  whispered  Rose,  quite  touched 
by  the  little  scene. 

"You  must  help  her  make  them  what  they  should 
be.  You  have  begun  already,  and  when  I  see  those 
rings  where  they  are,  my  girl  is  prettier  in  my  sight 
than  if  the  biggest  diamonds  that  ever  twinkled  shone 
in  her  ears,"  answered  Dr.  Alec,  looking  at  her  with 
approving  eyes. 

"I'm  so  glad  you  think  I  can  do  any  thing,  for  I 
perfectly  ache  to  be  useful,  every  one  is  so  good  to  me, 
especially  Aunt  Jessie." 

"  I  think  you  are  in  a  fair  way  to  pay  your  debts, 
Rosy,  for  when  girls  give  up  their  little  vanities,  and 
boys  their  small  vices,  and  try  to  strengthen  each  other 
in  well-doing,  matters  are  going  as  they  ought.  Work 
away,  my  dear,  and  help  their  mother  keep  these  sons 
fit  friends  for  an  innocent  creature  like  yourself;  they 
M'ill  be  the  manlier  men  for  it,  I  can  assure  you."  • 


CHAPTER    XYIII. 

FASHION  AND  PHYSIOLOGY. 

"  T^TjEASE,  sir,  I  guess  you  'd  better  step  up  right 
-L  away,  or  it  will  be.  too  late,  for  I  heard  Miss 
Rose  say  she  knew  you  would  n't  like  it,  and  she  'd 
never  dare  to  let  you  see  her." 

Phebe  said  this  as  she  popped  her  head  into  the 
study,  where  Dr.  Alec  sat  reading  a  new  book.     * 

"They  are  at  it,  are  they?"  he  said,  looking  up 
quickly,  and  giving  himself  a  shake,  as  if  ready  for  a 
battle  of  some  sort. 

"  Yes,  sir,  as  hard  as  they  can  talk,  and  Miss  Rose 
don't  seem  to  know  what  to  do,  for  the  things  are  ever 
so  stylish,  and  she  looks  elegant  in  'em  ;  though  I  like 
her  best  in  the  old  ones,"  answered  Phebe. 

"  You  are  a  girl  of  sense.  I  '11  settle  matters  for 
Rosy,  and  you  '11  lend  a  hand.  Is  every  thing  ready 
in  her  room,  and  are  you  sure  you  understand  how 
they  go?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir ;  but  they  nre  so  funny !  I  know  Miss 
Rose  will  think  it 's  a  joke,"  and  Phebe  laughed  as  if 
something  tickled  her  immensely. 

"  Never  mind  what  she  thinks  so  long  as  she  obeys. 
Tell  her  to  do  it  for  my  sake,  and  she  will  find  it  the 


FASHION   AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  205 

best  joke  she  ever  saw.  I  expect  to  have  a  tough 
time  of  it,  but  we  '11  win  yet,"  said  the  Doctor,  as  he 
marched  ujDstairs  with  the  book  in  his  hand,  and  an 
odd  smile  on  his  face. 

There  was  such  a  clatter  of  tongues  in  the  sewing- 
room  that  no  one  heard  his  tap  at  the  door,  so  he 
pushed  it  open  and  took  an  observation.  Aunt  Plenty, 
Aunt  Clara,  and  Aunt  Jessie  were  all  absorbed  in  gaz- 
ing at  liose,  who  slowly  revolved  between  them  and 
the  great  mirror,  in  a  full  winter  costume  of  the  latest 
fashion. 

"  Bless  my  heart !  worse  even  than  I  expected," 
thought  the  Doctor,  with  an  inward  groan,  for,  to  his 
benighted  eyes,  the  girl  looked  like  a  trussed  fowl,  and 
the  line  new  dress  had  neither  grace,  beauty,  nor  fit- 
ness to  recommend  it. 

The  suit  was  of  two  peculiar  shades  of  blue,  so  ar- 
ranged that  patches  of  light  and  dark  distracted  the 
eye.  The  upper  skirt  was  tied  so  tightly  back  that  it 
was  impossible  to  take  a  long  step,  and  the  under  one 
was  so  loaded  with  plaited  frills  that  it  "  wobbled  "  — 
no  other  word  will  express  it  —  ungracefully,  both  fore 
and  aft.  A  bunch  of  folds  was  gathered  up  just  below 
the  waist  behind,  and  a  great  bow  rode  a-top.  A  small 
jacket  of  the  same  material  was  adorned  with  a  high 
ruff  at  the  back,  and  laid  well  open  over  the  breast,  to 
display  some  lace  and  a  locket.  Heavy  fringes,  bows, 
puffs,  ruffles,  and  revers  finished  off  the  dress,  making 
one's  head  ache  to  think  of  the  amount  of  work  wasted, 
for  not  a  single  graceful  Una  struck  the  eye,  and  the 
beauty  of  the  material  was  quite  lost  in  the  profusion 
of  ornament. 


206  EIGHT    COUSINS.. 

A  high  velvet  hat,  audaciously  turned  up  in  front, 
with  a  bunch  of  pink  roses  and  a  sweeping  plume,  was 
cocked  over  one  ear,  and,  with  her  curls  braided  into  a 
club  at  the  back  of  her  neck,  Rose's  head  looked  more 
like  that  of  a  dashing  young  cavalier  than  a  modest 
little  girl's.  High-heeled  boots  tilted  her  well  forward, 
a  tiny  muff  pinioned  her  arms,  and  a  spotted  veil  tied 
so  closely  over  her  face  that  her  eyelashes  were  rumpled 
by  it,  gave  the  last  touch  of  absurdity  to  her  appear- 
ance. 

"  Now  she  looks  like  other  girls,  and  as  I  like  to  see 
her,"  Mrs.  Clara  was  saying,  with  an  air  of  great  sat- 
isfaction. 

"  She  does  look  like  a  fashionable  young  lady,  but 
somehow  I  miss  my  little  Rose,  for  children  dressed 
like  children  in  my  day,"  answered  Aunt  Plenty,  peer- 
ing through  her  glasses  with  a  troubled  look,  for  she 
could  not  imagine  the  creature  before  her  ever  sitting 
in  her  lap,  running  to  wait  upon  her,  or  making  the 
house  gay  with  a  child's  blithe  presence. 

"  Things  have  changed  since  your  day,  Aunt,  and  it 
takes  time  to  get  used  to  new  ways.  But  you,  Jessie, 
surely  like  this  costume  better  than  the  dowdy  things 
Rose  has  been  wearing  all  summer.  Now,  be  honest, 
and  own  you  do,"  said  Mrs.  Clara,  bent  on  being  praised 
for  her  work. 

"  Well,  dear,  to  be  quite  honest,  then,  I  think  it  is 
frightful,"  answered  Mrs.  Jessie  with  a  candor  that 
caused  revolving  Rose  to  stop  in  dismay. 

"  Hear,  hear,"  cried  a  deep  voice,  and  with  a  general 
start  the  ladies  became  aware  that  the  enemy  was 
among  them. 


FASHION   AND    PHYSIOLOGY.  207 

Rose  blushed  up  to  her  hat  brim,  and  stood,  looking, 
as  she  felt,  like  a  fool,  while  Mrs.  Clara  hastened  to 
explain. 

"  Of  course  I  don't  expect  yoic  to  like  it,  Alec,  but 
I  don't  consider  you  a  judge  of  what  is  proper  and  be- 
coming for  a  young  lady.  Therefore  I  have  taken  the 
liberty  of  providing  a  pretty  street  suit  for  Rose.  She 
need  not  wear  it  if  you  object,  for  I  know  we  prom- 
ised to  let  you  do  what  you  liked  with  the  poor  dear 
for  a  year." 

"  It  is  a  street  costume,  is  it  ?  "  asked  the  Doctor, 
mildly.  "  Do  you  know,  I  never  should  have  guessed 
that  it  was  meant  for  winter  weather  and  brisk  loco- 
motion. Take  a  turn.  Rosy,  and  let  me  see  all  its 
beauties  and  advantages." 

Rose  tried  to  walk  off  wdtli  her  usual  free  tread,  but 
the  under-skirt  got  in  her  way,  the  over-skirt  was  so 
tight  she  could  not  take  a  long  step,  and  her  boots 
made  it  impossible  to  carry  herself*  perfectly  erect. 

"  I  have  n't  got  used  to  it  yet,"  she  said,  petulantly, 
kicking  at  her  train,  as  she  turned  to  toddle  back  again. 

"  Suppose  a  mad  dog  or  a  runaway  horse  was  after 
you,  could  you  get  out  of  the  way  without  upsetting, 
Colonel?"  asked  the  Doctor,  with  a  twinkle  in  the  eyes 
that  were  fixed  on  the  rakish  hat. 

"  Don't  think  I  could,  but  I  '11  try,"  and  Rose  made 
a  rush  across  the  room.  Her  boot-heels  caught  on  a 
rug,  several  strings  broke,  her  hat  tipped  over  her  eyes, 
and  she  plunged  promiscuously  into  a  chair,  where  she 
sat  laughing  so  infectiously  that  all  but  Mrs.  Clara 
joined  in  her  mirth. 

"  I  should  say  that  a  walking  suit  in  which  one  could 


208  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

not  walk,  and  a  winter  suit  which  exjjoses  the  throat, 
head,  and  feet  to  cold  and  damp,  was  rather  a  failure, 
Clara ;  especially  as  it  has  no  beauty  to  reconcile  one 
to  its  utter  unfitness,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  as  he  helped  Rose 
undo  her  veil,  adding,  in  a  low  tone,  "  Nice  thing  for  the 
eyes ;  you  '11  soon  see  spots  when  it  is  off  as  Avell  as 
when  it  is  on,  and,  by  and  by,  be  a  case  for  an  oculist." 

"  No  beauty !  "  cried  Mrs.  Clara,  warmly.  "  Now 
that  is  just  a  man's  blindness.  This  is  the  best  of  silk 
and  camel's  hair,  real  ostrich  feathers,  and  an  expensive 
ermine  muff.  What  could  be  in  better  taste,  or  more* 
proper  for  a  young  girl  ?  " 

"I'll  show  you,  if  Rose  will  go  to  her  room  and 
oblige  me  by  putting  on  what  she  finds  there,"  answered 
the  Doctor,  with  unexpected  readiness. 

"  Alec,  if  it  is  a  Bloomer,  I  shall  protest.  I  've  been 
expecting  it,  but  I  know  I  cannot  bear  to  see  that 
pretty  child  sacrificed  to  your  wild  ideas  of  health. 
Tell  me  it  is  Ji't  a  Bloomer !  "  and  Mrs.  Clara  clasped 
her  hands  imploringly, 

"  It  is  not." 

"  Thank  Heaven !  "  and  she  resigned  herself  with  a 
sigh  of  relief,  adding  plaintively,  "  I  did  hope  you  'd 
accept  my  suit,  for  poor  Rose  has  been  afflicted  with 
frightful  clothes  long  enough  to  spoil  the  taste  of  any 
girl." 

"  You  talk  of  my  afflicting  the  child,  and  then  make 
a  helpless  guy  like  that  of  her ! "  answered  the  Doctor, 
pointing  to  the  little  fashion  plate  that  was  scuttling 
out  of  sight  as  fast  as  it  could  go. 

He  closed  the  door  with  a  shrug,  but  before  any  one 
could  speak,  his  quick  eye  fell  upon  an  object  which 


FASHION   AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  209 

caused  him  to  frown,  and  demand  in  an  indignant 
tone,  — 

"After  all  I  have  said,  were  you  really  going  to 
tempt  my  girl  with  those  abominable  things'?" 

"  I  thought  we  put  them  away  when  she  would  n't 
wear  them,"  murmured  Mrs.  Clara,  whisking  a  little 
pair  of  corsets  out  of  sight,  with  guilty  haste.  "  I  only 
brought  them  to  try,  for  Rose  is  growing  stout,  and 
will  have  no  figure  if  it  is  not  attended  to  soon  "  she 
added,  with  an  air  of  calm  conviction  that  roused  the 
Doctor  slill  more,  for  this  was  one  of  his  especial  abom- 
inations. 

"Growing  stout!  Yes,  thank  Heave]i,  she  is,  and 
shall  continue  to  do  it,  for  Nature  knows  how  to  mould 
a  woman  better  than  any  corset-maker,  and  I  won't 
have  her  interfered  with.  My  dear  Clara,  have  you 
lost  your  senses  that  you  can  for  a  moment  dream  of ' 
putting  a  growing  girl  into  an  instrument  of  torture 
like  this  ? "  and  with  a  sudden  gesture  he  plucked 
forth  the  offending  corsets  from  under  the  sofa  cushion, 
and  held  them  out  with  the  expression  one  would  wear 
on  beholding  the  thumbscrews  or  the  rack  of  ancient 
times. 

"Don't  be  absurd,  Alec.  There  is  no  torture  about 
it,  for  tight  lacing  is  out  of  fasliion,  and  we  have  nice, 
sensible  things  nowadays.  Every  one  wears  them ; 
even  babies  have  stiffened  waists  to  support  their  weak 
little  backs,"  began  Mrs.  Clara,  rushing  to  the  defence 
of  the  pet  delusion  of  most  women. 

"  I  know  it,  and  so  the  poor  little  souls  have  weak 
backs  all  their  days,  as  their  mothers  had  before  them. 
It  is  vain  to  argue  the  matter,  and  I  won't  try,  but  I 


210  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

wish  to  state,  once  for  all,  that  if  I  ever  see  a  pair  of 
corsets  near  Rose,  I  '11  put  them  in  the  fire,  and  you 
may  send  the  bill  to  me." 

As  he  spoke,  the  corsets  were  on  their  way  to  de- 
struction, but  Mrs.  Jessie  caught  his  arm,  exclaiming 
merrily,  "  Don't  burn  them,  for  mercy  sake.  Alec ;  they 
are  full  of  whalebones,  and  will  make  a  dreadful  odor. 
Give  them  to  me.     I'll  see  that  they  do  no  harm." 

"  Whalebones  indeed  !  A  regular  fence  of  them,  and 
nK^tal  gate-posts  in  front.  As  if  our  own  bones  were 
not  enough,  if  we'd  give  them  a  chance  to  do  their 
duty,"  growled  the  Doctor,  yielding  up  the  bone  of  con- 
tention with  a  last  shake  of  contempt.  Then  his  face 
cleared  suddenly,  and  he  held  up  his  finger,  saying,  with 
a  smile,  "  Hear  those  girls  laugh  ;  cramped  lungs  could 
not  make  hearty  music  like  that." 

Peals  of  laughter  issued  from  Rose's  room,  and  smiles 
involuntarily  touched  the  lips  of  those  who  listened  to 
the  happy  sound. 

"Some  new  prank  of  yours,  Alec?"  asked  Aunt 
Plenty,  indulgently,  for  she  had  come  to  believe  in 
most  of  her  nephew's  odd  notions,  because  they  seemed 
to. work  so  well. 

"  Yes,  ma  'am,  my  last,  and  I  hope  you  will  like  it. 
I  discovered  what  Clara  was  at,  and  got  my  rival  suit 
ready  for  to-day.  I'm  not  going  to  'afflict'  Rose,  but 
let  her  choose,  and  if  I'm  not  entirely  mistaken,  she 
will  like  my  rig  best.  While  we  wait  I  '11  explain,  and 
then  you  will  appreciate  the  general  effect  better.  I 
got  hold  of  this  little  book,  and  was  struck  with  its 
good  sense  and  good  taste,  for  it  suggests  a  way  to 
clothe  women  both  healthfully  and  handsomely,  and 


FASHION   AND    PHYSIOLOGY.  211 

that  is  a  great  point.  It  begins  at  the  foundations,  as 
you  will  see  if  you  will  look  at  these  pictures,  and  I 
should  think  women  would  rejoice  at  this  lightening  of 
their  burdens." 

As  he  spoke,  the  Doctor  laid  the  book  before  Aunt 
Plenty,  who  obediently  brought  her  spectacles  to  bear 
upon  the  illustrations,  and  after  a  long  look  exclaimed 
with  a  scandalized  face,  — 

"Mercy  on  us,  these  things  are  like  the  night-drawers 
Jamie  wears !  You  don't  mean  to  say  you  want  Rose 
to  come  out  in  this  costume  ?  It 's  not  proper,  and  I 
won't  consent  to  it !  "  . 

"  I  do  mean  it,  and  I  'm  sure  my  sensible  aunt  loill 
consent  when  she  understands  that  these,  — well,  —  I  '11 
call  them  by  an  Indian  name,  and  say,  —  pajamas, — 
are  for  underwear,  and  Rose  can  have  as  pretty  frocks 
as  she  likes  outside.  These  two  suits  of  flannel,  eacli 
in  one  piece  from  head  to  foot,  with  a  skirt  or  so  hung 
on  this  easily  fitting  waist,  will  keep  the  child  warm 
without  burdening  her  with  belts,  and  gathers,  and 
buckles,  and  bunches  round  the  waist,  and  leave  free 
the  muscles  that  need  plenty  of  room  to  work  in.  She 
shall  never  have  the  back-ache  if  I  can  help  it,  nor  the 
long  list  of  ills  you  dear  women  think  you  cannot  es- 
cape." 

"Zdon't  consider  it  modest,  and  I'm  sure  Rose  will 
be  shocked  at  it,"  began  Mrs.  Clara,  but  stopped  sud- 
denly as  Rose  appeared  in  the  door-way,  not  looking 
shocked  a  bit. 

"  Come  on,  my  hygienic  model,  and  let  us  see  you," 
said  her  uncle,  with  an  approving  glance,  as  she  walked 
in  looking  so  mischievously  merry,  that  it  was  evident 
she  enjoyed  the  joke. 


212  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Well,  I  don't  see  any  thing  remarkable.  That  is  a 
neat,  plain  suit ;  the  materials  are  good,  and  it 's  not 
unbecoming,  if  you  want  her  to  look  like  a  little  school- 
girl ;  but  it  has  not  a  jjarticle  of  style,  and  no  one  would 
ever  give  it  a  second  glance,"  said  Mrs.  Clara,  feeling 
that  her  last  remark  condemned  the  whole  thing. 

"Exactly  what  I  want,"  answered  the  provoking- 
Doctor,  rubbing  his  hands  with  a  satisfied  air.  "  Rosy 
looks  now  like  what  she  is,  a  modest  little  girl,  who 
does  not  want  to  be  stared  at.  I  think  she  would  get 
a  glance  of  approval,  though,  from  people  who  like 
sense  and  simplicity,  rather  than  fuss  and  feathers. 
Revolve,  my  Hebe,  and  let  me  refresh  my  eyes  by  the 
sight  of  you." 

There  was  very  little  to  see,  however,  only  a  pretty 
Gabrielle  dress,  of  a  soft,  warm  shade  of  brown,  com- 
ing to  the  tops  of  a  trim  pair  of  boots  with  low  heels. 
A  seal-skin  sack,  cap,  and  mittens,  with  a  glimpse  of 
scarlet  at  the  throat,  and  the  pretty  curls  tied  up  with 
a  bright  velvet  of  the  same  color,  completed  the  exter- 
nal adornment,  making  her  look  like  a  robin  red- 
breast,—  wintry,  yet  warm. 

"How  do  you  like  it,  Rosy?"  asked  the  Doctor,  feel- 
ing that  her  opinion  was  more  important  to  the  success 
of  his  new  idea  than  that  of  all  the  aunts  on  the  hill. 

"I  feel  very  odd  and  light,  but  I'm  warm  as  a  toast, 
and  nothing  seems  to  be  in  my  way,"  answered  Rose, 
with  ^  skip  which  displayed  shapely  gaiters  on  legs 
that  now  might  be  as  free  and  active  as  a  boy's  under 
the  modest  skirts  of  the  girl. 

"You  can  run  away  from  the  mad  dogs,  and  walk 
off  at  a  smart  pace  without  tumbling  on  your  nose, 
now,  I  fancy  ?  " 


FASHION   AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  213 

"Yes,  uncle!  suppose  the  dog  coming,  I  just  hop 
over  a  wall  so  —  and  when  I  walk  of  a  cold  day,  I 
go  like  this  —  " 

Entering  fully  into  the  spirit  of  the  thing.  Rose 
swung  herself  over  the  high  back  of  the  sofa  as  easily 
as  one  of  her  cousins,  and  then  went  down  the  long 
hall  as  if  her  stout  boots  were  related  to  the  famous 
seven-leaguers. 

"  There  !  you  see  how  it  will  be ;  dress  her  in  that 
boyish  way  and  she  will  act  like  a  boy.  I  do  hate  all 
these  inventions  of  strong-minded  women  !  "  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Clara,  as  Rose  came  back  at  a  run. 

"  Ah,  but  you  see  some  of  these  sensible  inventions 
come  from  the  brain  of  a  fashionable  modiste,  who 
will  make  you  lovely,  or  what  you  value  more, — 
*  stylish'  outside  and  comfortable  within.  Mrs.  Van 
Tassel  has  been  to  Madame  Stone,  and  is  wearing  a 
full  suit  of  this  sort.  Van  himself  told  me,  when  I 
asked  how  she  was,  that  she  had  given  up  lying  on 
the  sofa,  and  was  going  about  in  a  most  astonishing 
way,  considering  her  feeble  health." 

"  You  don't  say  so  !  Let  me  see  that  book  a  mo- 
ment," and  Aunt  Clara  examined  the  new  patterns 
Avith  a  more  respectful  air,  for  if  the  elegant  Mrs.  Van 
Tassel  wore  these  "  dreadful  things  "  it  would  never 
do  to  be  left  behind,  in  sj^ite  of  her  prejudices. 

Dr.  Alec  looked  at  Mrs.  Jessie,  and  both  smiled,  for 
"  little  Mum "  had  been  in  the  secret,  and  enjoyed  it 
mightily. 

"  I  thought  that  would  settle  it,"  he  said  with  a 
nod. 

"  I  did  n't  wait  for  Mrs.  Van  to  lead  the  way,  and 


214  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

for  once  in  my  life  I  have  adopted  a  new  fashion  before 
Clara.  My  freedom  suit  is  ordered,  and  you  may  see 
me  playing  tag  with  Rose  and  the  boys  before  long," 
answered  Mrs.  Jessie,  nodding  back  at  him. 

Meantime  Aunt  Plenty  was  examining  Rose's  cos- 
tume, for  the  hat  and  sack  were  off,  and  the  girl  was 
eagerly  explaining  the  new  under-garments. 

"  See,  auntie,  all  nice  scarlet  flannel,  and  a  gay  little 
petticoat,  and  long  stockings,  oh,  so  warm!  Phebe 
and  I  nearly  died  laughing  when  I  put  this  rig  on,  but 
I  like  it  ever  so  much.  The  dress  is  so  comfortable, 
and  does  n't  need  any  belt  or  sash,  and  I  can  sit  with- 
out rumpling  any  trimming,  that 's  such  a  comfort !  I 
like  to  be  tidy,  and  so,  when  I  wear  fussed-up  things, 
I  'm  thinking  of  my  clothes  all  the  time,  and  that 's 
tiresome.  Do  say  you  like  it.  I  resolved  I  would, 
just  to  please  uncle,  for  he  does  know  more  about 
health  than  any  one  else,  I  'm  sure,  and  I  'd  wear  a  bag 
if  he  asked  me  to  do  it." 

"  I  don't  ask  that.  Rose,  but  I  wish  you  'd  weigh  and 
compare  the  two  suits,  and  then  choose  which  seems 
best.  I  leave  it  to  your  own  common-sense,"  answered 
Dr.  Alec,  feeling  pretty  sure  he  had  won. 

"  Why,  I  take  this  one,  of  course,  uncle.  The  other 
is  fashionable,  and  —  yes  —  I  must  say  I  think  it 's 
pretty  —  but  it 's  very  heavy,  and  I  should  have  to  go 
round  like  a  walking  doll  if  I  wore  it.  I  'm  much 
obliged  to  auntie,  but  I  '11  keep  this,  please." 

Rose  sjioke  gently  but  decidedly,  though  there  was 
a  look  of  regret  when  her  eye  fell  on  the  other  suit 
which  Phebe  had  brought  in ;  and  it  was  very  natural 
to  like  to  look  as  other  girls  did.  Aunt  Clara  sighed  ; 
Uncle  Alec  smiled,  and  said  heartily,  — 


FASHION  AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  215 

"Thank  you,  dear;  now  read  this  book  and  you 
will  understand  why  I  ask  it  of  you.  Then,  if  you 
like,  I  '11  give  you  a  new  lesson ;  you  asked  for  one 
yesterday,  and  this  is  more  necessary  than  French  or 
housekeeping." 

"  Oh,  what  ?  "  and  Rose  caught  up  the  book  which 
Mrs.  Clara  had  thrown  down  with  a  disgusted  look. 

Though  Dr.  Alec  was  forty,  the  boyish  love  of  teasing 
was  not  yet  dead  in  him,  and,  being  much  elated  at  his 
victory,  he  could  not  resist  the  temptation  of  shocking 
Mrs.  Clara  by  suggesting  dreadful  possibilities,  so  he 
answered,  half  in  earnest  half  in  jest :  "  Physiology, 
Rose.  Would  n't  you  like  to  be  a  little  medical  student 
with  Uncle  Doctor  for  teacher,  and  be  ready  to  take 
up  his  practice  when  he  has  to  stop  ?  If  you  agree, 
I  '11  hunt  up  my  old  skeleton  to-morrow." 

That  was  too  much  for  Aunt  Clara,  and  she  hastily 
departed  with  her  mind  in  a  sad  state  of  perturbation 
about  Mrs.  Van  Tassel's  new  costume,  and  Rose's  now 
study. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

BROTHER     BONES. 

ROSE  accepted  her  uncle's  offer,  as  Aunt  Myra 
discovered  two  or  three  days  later.  Coming  in 
for  an  early  call,  and  hearing  voices  in  the  study,  she 
opened  the  door,  gave  a  cry  and  shut  it  quickly, 
looking  a  good  deal  startled.  The  Doctor  appeared 
in  a  moment,  and  begged  to  know  what  the  matter 
was. 

*'How  can  you  ask  when  that  long  box  looks  so 
like  a  coffin  I  thought  it  was  one,  and  that  dreadful 
thing  stared  me  in  the  fice  as  I  opened  the  door," 
answered  Mrs.  Myra,  pointing  to  the  skeleton  that 
hung  from  the  chandelier  cheerfully  grinning  at  all 
beholders. 

"This  is  a  medical  college  where  women  are  freely 
admitted,  so  walk  in,  madam,  and  join  .the  class  if 
you'll  do  me  the  honor,"  said  the  Doctor,  waving 
her  forward  with  his  politest  bow. 

"Do,  auntie;  it's  perfectly  splendid,"  cried  Rose's 
voice,  and  Rose's  blooming  face  was  seen  behind  the 
ribs  of  the  skeleton,  smiling  and  nodding  in  the  gayest 
130ssible  manner. 

"What  are  you  doing,  child?"  demanded  Aunt 
Myra,  dropping  into  a  chair  and  staring  about  her. 


BROTHER    BONES.  217 

"Oh,  I'm  learning  bones  to-day,  and  I  like  it  so 
much.  There  are  twelve  ribs,  you  know,  and  the  two 
lower  ones  are  called  floating  ribs,  because  they  are 
not  fastened  to  the  breast  bone.  That 's  why  they  go 
in  so  easily  if  you  lace  tight  and  squeeze  the  lungs  and 
heart  in  the  —  let  me  see,  what  was  that  big  word  — 
oh,  I  know  —  thoracic  cavity,"  and  Rose  beamed  with 
pride  as  she  aired  her  little  bit  of  knowledge. 

"  Do  you  think  that  is  a  good  sort  of  thing  for  her 
to  be  poking  over  ?  She  is  a  nervous  child,  and  I  'm 
afraid  it  will  be  bad  for  her,"  said  Aunt  Myra,  watch- 
ing Rose  as  she  counted  vertebrae,  and  waggled  a  hip- 
joint  in  its  socket  with  an  inquiring  expression. 

"An  excellent  study,  for  she  enjoys  it,  and  I  mean 
to  teach  her  how  to  manage  her  nerves  so  that  they 
won't  be  a  curse  to  her,  as  many  a  woman's  become 
through  ignorance  or  want  of  thought.  To  make  a 
mystery  or  a  terror  of  these  things  is  a  mistake,  and  I 
mean  Rose  shall  understand  and  respect  her  body  so 
well  that  she  won't  dare  to  trifle  Avith  it  as  most 
women  do." 

"And  she  really  likes  it?" 

"  Very  much,  auntie  !  It 's  all  so  wonderful,  and 
so  nicely  planned,  you  can  hardly  believe  what  you 
see.  Just  think,  there  are  600,000,000  air  cells  in  one 
pair  of  lungs,  and  2,000  pores  to  a  square  inch  of 
surface ;  so  you  see  what  quantities  of  air  we  must 
have,  and  what  care  we  should  take  of  our  skin  so  all 
the  little  doors  will  open  and  shut  right.  And  brains, 
auntie,  you  've  no  idea  how  curious  they  are ;  I 
haven't  got  to  them  yet,  but  I  long  to,  and  uncle 
is  going  to  show  me  a  manikin  that  you  can  take  to 
10 


218  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

pieces.  Just  think  how  nice  it  will  be  to  see  all  the 
organs  in  their  places ;  I  only  wish  they  could  be  made 
to  work  as  ours  do." 

It  was  fiinny  to  see  Aunt  Myra's  face  as  Rose  stood 
before  her  talking  rapidly  with  one  hand  laid  in  the 
friendliest  manner  on  the  skeleton's  shoulder.  Every 
word  both  the  Doctor  and  Rose  uttered  hit  the  good 
lady  in  her  weakest  spot,  and  as  she  looked  and 
listened  a  long  array  of  bottles  and  pill-boxes  rose  up 
before  her,  reproaching  her  with  the  "ignorance  and 
want  of  thought"  that  made  her  what  she  was,  a 
nervous,  dyspeptic,  unhappy  old  woman. 

"Well,  I  don't  know  but  you  may  be  right.  Alec, 
only  I  would  n't  carry  it  too  far.  Women  don't  need 
much  of  this  sort  of  knowledge,  and  are  not  fit  for  it. 
I  could  n't  bear  to  touch  that  ugly  thing,  and  it  gives 
me  the  creeps  to  hear  about  '  organs,' "  said  Aunt 
Myra,  with  a  sigh  and  her  hand  on  her  side. 

"  Would  n't  it  be  a  comfort  to  know  that  your  liver 
was  on  the  right  side,  auntie,  and  not  on  the  left?" 
asked  Rose  with  a  naughty  laugh  in  her  eyes,  for  she 
had  lately  learned  that  Aunt  Myra's  liver  complaint 
was  not  in  the  proper  place. 

"It's  a  dying  world,  child,  and  it  don't  much  matter 
where  the  pain  is,  for  sooner  or  later  we  all  drop  off 
and  are  seen  no  more,"  was  Aunt  Myra's  cheerful 
reply. 

"  Well,  I  intend  to  know  what  kills  me  if  I  can,  and 
meantime  I  'm  going  to  enjoy  myself  in  spite  of  a 
dying  world.  I  wish  you  'd  do  so  too,  and  come  and 
study  with  uncle,  it  would  do  you  good  I'm  sure," 
and  Rose  went  back  to  countino;  vertebrre  with  such 


BROTHER    BONES.  219 

a  happy  face  that  Aunt  Myra  had  not  the  heart  to  say 
a  word  to  dampen  her  ardor. 

"  Perhaps  it 's  as  well  to  let  her  do  what  she  likes 
the  little  while  she  is  with  us.  But  pray  be  careful  of 
her,  Alec,  and  not  allow  her  to  overwork,"  she  whis- 
pered as  she  went  out. 

"  That's  exactly  what  I'm  trying  to  do,  ma'am,  and 
rather  a  hard  job  I  find  it,"  he  added,  as  he  shut  the 
door,  for  the  dear  aunts  were  dreadfully  in  his  way 
sometimes. 

Half  an  hour  later  came  another  interruption  in  the 
shape  of  Mac,  who  announced  his  arrival  by  the  brief 
but  elegant  remark,  — 

"  Hullo  !  what  new  game  is  this  ?  " 

Rose  explained,  Mac  gave  a  long  whistle  of  surprise, 
and  then  took  a  promenade  round  the  skeleton,  ob- 
serving gravely, — 

"Brother  Bones  looks  very  jolly,  but  I  can't  say 
much  for  his  beauty." 

"  You  must  n't  make  fun  of  him,  for  he's  a  good  old 
fellow,  and  you'd  be  just  as  ugly  if  your  flesh  was  off," 
said  Rose,  defending  her  new  friend  with  warmth. 

"  I  dare  say,  so  I  '11  keep  my  flesh  on,  thank  you. 
You  are  so  busy  you  ctm't  read  to  a  fellow,  I  suppose  ?  " 
asked  Mac,  whose  eyes  were  better,  but  still  too  weak 
for  books. 

"  Don't  you  want  to  come  and  join  my  class  ?  uncle 
explains  it  all  to  us,  and  you  can  take  a  look  at  the 
plates  as  they  come  along.  VYe  '11  give  up  bones  to- 
day and  have  eyes  instead  ;  that  will  be  more  interest- 
ing to  2/^w,"  added  Rose,  seeing  no  ardent  thirst  for 
physiological  information  in  his  face. 


220  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Rose,  we  must  not  fly  about  from  one  thing  to 
another  in  this  way,"  began  Dr.  Alec  ;  but  she  whis- 
pered quickly,  with  a  nod  towards  Mac,  whose  goggles 
were  turned  wistfully  in  the  direction  of  the  forbidden 
books,  — 

"  He  's  blue  to-day,  and  we  must  amuse  him ;  give  a 
little  lecture  on  eyes,  and  it  will  do  him  good.  IS^o 
matter  -about  me,  uncle." 

"  Very  well ;  the  class  will  please  be  seated,"  and 
the  Doctor  gave  a  sounding  rap  on  the  table. 

"  Come,  sit  by  me,  dear,  then  we  can  both  see  the 
pictures;  and  if  your  head  gets  tired  you  can  lie 
down,"  said  Rose,  generously  opening  her  little  college 
to  a  brother,  and  kindly  providing  for  the  weaknesses 
that  all  humanity  is  subject  to. 

Side  by  side  they  sat  and  listened  to  a  very  simple 
explanation  of  the  mechanism  of  the  eye,  finding  it  as 
wonderful  as  a  fairy  tale,  for  fine  plates  illustrated  it, 
and  a  very  willing  teacher  did  his  best  to  make  the 
lesson  pleasant. 

"  Jove  !  if  I  'd  known  what  mischief  I  was  doing  to 
that  mighty  delicate  machine  of  mine,  you  wouldn't 
have  caught  me  reading  by  fire  light,  or  studying 
with  a  glare  of  sunshine  on  my  book,"  said  Mac,  peer- 
ing solemnly  at  a  magnified  eyeball ;  then,  pushing  it 
away,  he  added  indignantly :  "  Why  is  n't  a  fellow 
taught  all  about  his  works,  and  how  to  manage  'em, 
and  not  left  to  go  blundering  into  all  sorts  of  worries? 
Telling  him  after  he  's  down  is  n't  much  use,  for  then 
he  's  found  it  out  himself  and  won't  thank  you." 

"  Ah,  Mac,  that's  just  what  I  keep  lecturing  about, 
and  people  ivoii't  listen.     You  lads  need  that  sort  of 


BROTHER    BONES.  221 

knowledge  so  much,  and  fathers  and  mothers  ought 
to  be  able  to  give  it  to  you.  Few  of  them  are  able, 
and  so  we  all  go  blundering,  as  you  say.  Less  Greek 
and  Latin  and  more  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  health 
for  my  boys,  if  I  had  them.  Mathematics  are  all  very 
well,  but  morals  are  better,  and  I  wish,  hoiv,  I  wish 
that  I  could  help  teachers  and  parents  to  feel  it  as 
they  ought." 

"  Some  do ;  Aunt  Jessie  and  her  boys  have  capital 
talks,  and  I  wish  we  could  ;  but  mother 's  so  busy  with 
her  housekeeping,  and  father  with  his  business,  there 
never  seems  to  be  any  time  for  that  sort  of  thing  ;  even 
if  there  wa«,  it  don't  seem  as  if  it  would  be  easy  to 
talk  to  them,  because  we  've  never  got  into  the  way  of 
it,  you  know." 

Poor  Mac  w^as  right  there,  and  expressed  a  want 
that  many  a  boy  and  girl  feels.  Fathers  and  mothers 
are  too  absorbed  in  business  and  housekeeping  to  study 
their  children,  and  cherish  that  sweet  and  natur.il 
confidence  which  is  a  child's  surest  safeguard,  and  a 
parent's  subtlest  power.  So  the  young  hearts  hide 
trouble  or  temptation  till  the  harm  is  done,  and  mutual 
regret  comes  too  late.  Happy  the  boys  and  girls  who 
tell  all  things  freely  to  father  or  mother,  sure  of  pity, 
help,  and  pardon  ;  and  thrice  happy  the  parents  who, 
out  of  their  own  experience,  and  by  their  own  virtues, 
can  teach  and  uplift  the  souls  for  which  they  are  re- 
sponsible. 

This  longing  stirred  in  the  hearts  of  Rose  and  Mac, 
and  by  a  natural  impulse  both  turned  to  Dr.  Alec,  for 
in  this  queer  world  of  ours,  fatherly  and  motherly 
hearts  often  beat  warm  and  wise  in  the  breasts  of 


222  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

bachelor  uncles  and  maiden  aunts  ;  and  it  is  my  private 
opinion  that  these  worthy  creatures  are  a  beautiful 
provision  of  nature  for  the  cherishing  of  other  people's 
children.  They  certainly  get  great  comfort  out  of  it, 
and  receive  much  innocent  affection  that  otherwise 
would  be  lost. 

Dr.  Alec  was  one  of  these,  and  his  big  heart  had 
room  for  every  one  of  the  eight  cousins,  especially 
orphaned  Rose  and  afflicted  Mac ;  so,  when  the  boy 
uttered  that  unconscious  reproach  to  his  parents,  and 
Rose  added  with  a  sigh,  "  It  must  be  beautiful  to  have 
a  mother !  "  —  the  good  Doctor  yearned  over  them, 
and,  shutting  his  book  with  a  decided  slam,  said  in 
that  cordial  voice  of  his,  — 

"  Now,  look  here,  children,  you  just  come  and  tell 
me  all  your  worries,  and  with  God's  help  I  '11  settle 
them  for  you.  That  is  what  I  'm  here  for,  I  believe, 
and  it  will  be  a  great  happiness  to  me  if  you  can  trust 
me." 

"  We  can,  uncle,  and  we  will !  "  both  answered  with 
a  heartiness  that  gratified  him  much. 

"  Good !  now  school  is  dismissed,  and  I  advise  you 
to  go  and  refresh  your  600,000,000  air  cells  by  a  brisk 
run  in  the  garden.  Come  again  whenever  you  like, 
Mac,  and  we  '11  teach  you  all  we  can  about  your 
*  works,'  as  you  call  them,  so  you  can  keep  them 
running  smoothly." 

"  We  '11  come,  sir,  much  obliged,"  and  the  class  in 
physiology  went  out  to  walk. 

Mac  did  come  again,  glad  to  find  something  he  could 
study  in  spite  of  his  weak  eyes,  and  learned  much  that 
was  of  more  value  than  any  thing  his  school  had  ever 
taught  him. 


BROTHER    BONES.  223 

Of  course,  the  other  lads  made  great  fun  of  the  whole 
thing,  and  plagued  Dr.  Alec's  students  half  out  of  their 
lives.  But  they  kejDt  on  persistently,  and  one  day 
something  happened  which  made  the  other  fellows 
behave  themselves  for  ever  after. 

It  was  a  holiday,  and  Rose  up  in  her  room  thought 
she  heard  the  voices  of  her  cousins,  so  she  ran  down 
to  welcome  them,  but  found  no  one  there. 

"  Never  mind,  they  will  be  here  soon,  and  then  we  '11 
have  a  frolic,"  she  said  to  herself,  and  thinking  she  had 
been  mistaken  she  went  into  the  study  to  wait.  She 
was  lounging  over  the  table  looking  at  a  map  when 
an  odd  noise  caught  her  ear.  A  gentle  tapping  some- 
where, and  following  the  sound  it  seemed  to  come  from 
the  inside  of  the  long  case  in  which  the  skeleton  lived 
when  not  professionally  engaged.  This  case  stood 
upright  in  a  niche  between  two  book-cases  at  the  back 
of  the  room,  a  darkish  corner,  where  Brother  Bones, 
as  the  boys  would  call  him,  was  out  of  the  way. 

As  Rose  stood  looking  in  that  direction,  and  won- 
dering if  a  rat  had  got  shut  in,  the  door  of  the  case 
swung  slowly  open,  and  with  a  great  start  she  saw 
a  bony  arm  lifted,  and  a  bony  finger  beckon  to  her. 
For  a  minute  she  was  frightened,  and  ran  to  the  study 
door  with  a  fluttering  heart,  but  just  as  she  touched 
the  handle  a  queer,  stifled  sort  of  giggle  made  her  stop 
short  and  turn  red  with  anger.  She  paused  an  instant 
to  collect  herself,  and  then  went  softly  toward  the  bony 
beckoner.  A  nearer  look  revealed  black  threads  tied 
to  the  arm  and  fingers,  the  ends  of  threads  disappearing 
through  holes  bored  in  the  back  of  the  case.  Peeping 
into  the  deep  recess,  she  also  caught  sight  of  the  tip  of 


224  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

an  elbow  covered  with  a  rough  gray  cloth  which  she 
knew  very  well. 

Quick  as  a  flash  she  understood  the  joke,  her 
fear  vanished,  and  with  a  wicked  smile,  she  whipped 
out  her  scissors,  cut  the  threads,  and  the  bony  arm 
dropped  with  a  rattle.  Before  she  could  say,  "  Come 
out,  Charlie,  and  let  my  skeleton  alone,"  a  sudden  irruj)- 
tion  of  boys  ail  in  a  high  state  of  tickle  proclaimed  to 
the  hidden  rogue  that  his  joke  was  a  failure. 

"  I  told  him  not  to  do  it,  because  it  might  give  you 
a  start,"  explained  Archie,  emerging  from  the  closet. 

"I  had  a  smelling-bottle  all  ready  if  she  fainted 
away,"  added  Steve,  popping  up  from  behind  the 
great  chair. 

"  It 's  too  bad  of  you  not  to  squawk  and  run  ;  we 
depended  on  it,  it 's  such  fun  to  howl  after  you,"  said 
Will  and  Geordie,  rolling  out  from  under  the  sofa  in  a 
promiscuous  heap. 

"You  are  getting  altogether  too  strong-minded, 
Rose  J  most  girls  would  have  been  in  a  jolly  twitter 
to  see  this  old  fellow  waggling  his  finger  at  them," 
complained  Charlie,  squeezing  out  from  his  tight 
quarters,  dusty  and  disgusted. 

"  I  'm  used  to  your  pranks  now,  so  I  'm  always  on 
the  watch  and  prepared.  But  I  won't  have  Brother 
Bones  made  fun  of.  I  know  uncle  would  n't  like  it, 
so  please  don't,"  began  Rose  just  as  Dr.  Alec  came  in, 
and,  seeing  the  state  of  the  case  at  a  glance,  he  said 
quietly,  — 

"  Hear  how  I  got  that  skeleton,  and  then  I  'm  sure 
you  will  treat  it  with  respect." 

The  boys  settled  down  at  once  on  any  article  of 
furniture  that  was  nearest  and  listened  dutifully. 


BROTHER    BONES.  225 

"  Years  ago,  when  I  was  in  the  hospital,  a  poor  fel- 
low was  brought  there  with  a  rare  and  very  painful 
disease.  There  was  no  hope  for  him,  but  we  did  our 
best,  and  he  was  so  grateful  that  when  he  died  he  left 
us  his  body  that  we  might  discover  the  mysteries  of 
his  complaint,  and  so  be  able  to  help  others  afflicted  in 
the  same  way.  It  did  do  good,  and  his  brave  patience 
made  us  remember  him  long  after  he  was  gone.  He 
thought  I  had  been  kind  to  him,  and  said  to  a  fellow- 
student  of  mine  :  '  Tell  the  Doctor  I  lave  him  me 
bones,  for  I  've  nothing  else  in  the  wide  world,  and 
I  '11  not  be  wanting  'em  at  all,  at  all,  when  the  great 
pain  has  kilt  me  entirely.'  So  that  is  how  they  came 
to  be  mine,  and  why  I  've  kept  them  carefully ;  for, 
though  only  a  poor,  ignorant  fellow,  Mike  Nolan  did 
what  he  could  to  help  others,  and  prove  his  gratitude 
to  those  who  tried  to  help  him." 

As  Dr.  Alec  paused,  Archie  closed  the  door  of  the 
case  as  respectfully  as  if  the  mummy  of  an  Egyptian 
king  was  inside ;  Will  and  Geordie  looked  solemnly 
at  one  another,  evidently  much  impressed,  and  Charlie 
pensively  remarked  from  the  coal-hod  where  he  sat,  — 

"  I  've  often  heard  of  a  skeleton  in  the  house,  but  I 
think  few  people  have  one  as  useful  and  as  interesting 
as  ours." 


10* 


CHAPTER  XX. 

UNDER    THE  MISTLETOE. 

ROSE  made  Phebe  promise  that  she  would  bring 
her  stocking  into  the  "Bower,"  as  she  called 
her  pretty  room,  on  Christmas  morning,  because  that 
first  delicious  rummage  loses  half  its  charm  if  two 
little  night-caps  at  least  do  not  meet  over  the  treas- 
ures, and  two  happy  voices  Oh  and  Ah  together. 

So  when  Rose  opened  her  eyes  that  day  they  fell 
upon  faithful  Phebe,  rolled  up  in  a  shawl,  sitting  on 
the  rug  before  a  blazing  fire,  with  her  untouched 
stocking  laid  beside  her. 

"  Merry  Christmas  ! "  cried  the  little  mistress,  smil- 
ing gayly. 

"Merry  Christmas!"  answered  the  little  maid,  so 
heartily  that  it  did  one  good  to  hear  her. 

"  Bring  the  stockings  right  away,  Phebe,  and  let 's 
see  what  we  Ve  got,"  said  Rose,  sitting  uj)  among  the 
pillows,  and  looking  as  eager  as  a  child. 

A  pair  of  long  knobby  hose  were  laid  out  upon  the 
coverlet  and  their  contents  examined  with  delight, 
though  each  knew  every  blessed  thing  that  had  been 
put  into  the  other's  stocking. 

Never  mind  what  they  were ;  it  is  evident  that  they 


UNDER    THE    MISTLETOE.  227 

were  quite  satisfactory,  for  as  Rose  leaned  back,  she 
said,  with  a  luxurious  sigh  of  satisfaction  :  "  Now,  I 
believe  I  've  got  every  thing  in  the  world  that  I  want," 
and  Phebe  answered,  smiling  o.ver  a  lapful  of  treas- 
ures :  "  This  is  the  most  splendid  Christmas  I  ever  had 
since  I  was  born."  Then,  she  added  with  an  impor- 
tant air,  — 

"  Do  wish  for  something  else,  because  I  happen  to 
know  of  two  more  presents  outside  the  door  this  min- 
ute." 

"Oh,  me,  what  richness!"  cried  Rose,  much  ex- 
cited. "I  used  to  wish  for  a  pair  of  glass  slippers 
like  Cinderella's,  but  as  I  can't  have  them,  I  really 
don't  know  what  to  ask  for." 

Phebe  clapped  her  hands  as  she  skipped  off  the  bed 
and  ran  to  the  door,  saying  merrily :  "  One  of  them 
is  for  your  feet  any  way.  I  don't  know  what  you  '11 
say  to  the  other,  but  I  think  it 's  elegant." 

So  did  Rose,  when  a  shining  pair  of  skates  and  a 
fine  sled  appeared. 

"  Uncle  sent  those  ;  I  know  he  did  ;  and,  now  I  see 
them,  I  remember  that  I  did  want  to  skate  and  coast. 
Is  n't  it  a  beauty  ?  See  !  they  fit  nicely,"  and,  sit- 
ting on  the  new  sled.  Rose  tried  a  skate  on  her  little 
bare  foot,  while  Phebe  stood  by  admiring  the  pretty 
tableau. 

"Now  we  must  hun-y  and  get  dressed,  for  there 
is  a  deal  to  do  to-day,  and  I  want  to  get  through  in 
time  to  try  my  sled  before  dinner." 

"  Gracious  me,  and  I  ought  to  be  dusting  my  par- 
lors this  blessed  minute  !  "  and  mistress  and  maid  sep- 
arated with  such  happy  faces  that  any  one  would  have 
known  what  day  it  was  without  being  told. 


228  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"Birnam  Wood  has  come  to  Dimsinane,  Rosy," 
said  Dr.  Alec,  as  he  left  the  breakfast  table  to  open 
the  door  for  a  procession  of  holly,  hemlock,  and  cedar 
boughs  that  came  marching  up  the  steps. 

Snowballs  and  "  Merry  Christmases ! "  flew  about 
pretty  briskly  for  several  minutes  ;  then  all  fell  to 
work  trimming  up  the  old  house,  for  the  family  al- 
ways dined  together  there  on  that  day. 

"  I  rode  miles  and  mileses,  as  Ben  says,  to  get  this 
fine  bit,  and  I  'm  going  to  hang  it  there  as  the  last 
touch  to  the  rig-a-madooning,"  said  Charlie,  as  he 
fastened  a  dull  green  branch  to  the  chandelier  in  the 
front  parlor. 

"It  isn't  very  pretty,"  said  Rose,  who  was  trim- 
ming the  chimney-piece  with  glossy  holly  sprays. 

"  Never  mind  that,  it 's  mistletoe,  and  any  one  who 
stands  under  it  will  get  kissed  whether  they  like  it  or 
not.  Now's  your  time,  ladies,"  answered  the  saucy 
Prince,  keeping  his  place  and  looking  sentimentally  at 
the  girls,  w^ho  retired  precipitately  from  the  dangerous, 
spot. 

"  You  won't  catch  me,"  said  Rose,  with  gi-eat  dig- 
nity. 

"  See  if  I  don't !  " 

"  I  've  got  my  eye  on  Phebe,"  observed  AVill,  in  a 
patronizing  tone  that  made  them  all  laugh. 

"  Bless  the  dear ;  I  sha'n't  mind  it  a  bit,"  answered 
Phebe,  with  such  a  maternal  air  ^lat  Will's  budding 
gallantry  was  chilled  to  death. 

"  Oh,  the  mistletoe  bough  !  "  sang  Rose. 

"  Oh,  the  mistletoe  bough  !  "  echoed  all  the  boys, 
and  the  teasing  ended  in  the  plaintive  -ballad  they  all 
liked  so  well. 


UNDER    THE   MISTLETOE.  229 

There  was  plenty  of  time  to  try  the  new  skates 
before  dinner,  and  then  Rose  took  her  first  lesson  on 
the  little  bay,  which  seemed  to  have  frozen  over  for 
that  express  jDurpose.  She  found  tumbling  down  and 
getting  up  again  warm  work  for  a  time,  but,  with  six 
boys  to  teach  her,  she  managed  at  last  to  stand  alone ; 
and,  satisfied  with  that  success,  she  refreshed  herself 
with  a  dozen  grand  coasls  on  the  Amazon,  as  her  sled 
was  called. 

"  Ah,  that  fatal  color  !  it  breaks  my  heart  to  see 
it,"  croaked  Aunt  Myra,  as  Rose  came  down  a  little 
late,  with  cheeks  almost  as  ruddy  as  the  holly  berries 
on  the  wall,  and  every  curl  as  smooth  as  Phebe's  care- 
ful hands  could  make  it. 

"  I  'm  glad  to  see  that  Alec  allows  the  poor  child  to 
make  herself  pretty  in  spite  of  his  absurd  notions," 
added  Aunt  Clara,  taking  infinite  satisfaction  in  the 
fact  that  Rose's  blue  silk  dress  had  three  frills  on  it. 

"  She  is  a  very  intelligent  child,  and  has  a  nice  little 
manner  of  her  own,"  observed  Aunt  Jane,  with  un- 
usual affability ;  for  Rose  had  just  handed  Mac  a  screen 
to  guard  his  eyes  from  the  brilliant  fire. 

"  If  I  had  a  daughter  like  that  to  show  my  Jem 
when  he  gets  home,  I  should  be  a  very  proud  and 
happy  woman,"  thought  Aunt  Jessie,  and  then  re- 
proached herself  for  not  being  perfectly  satisfied  with 
her  four  brave  lads. 

Aunt  Plenty  was  too  absorbed  in  the  dinner  to  have 
an  eye  for  any  thing  else;  if  she  had  not  been,  she 
would  have  seen  what  an  effect  her  new  cap  produced 
upon  the  boys.  The  good  lady  owned  that  she  did 
"love  a  dressy  cap,"  and  on  this  occasion  her  head- 


230  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

gear  was  magnificent;  for  the  towering  structure  ot 
lace  was  adorned  with  buff  ribbons  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  looked  as  if  a  flock  of  yellow  butterflies  had 
settled  on  her  dear  old  head.  When  she  trotted  about 
the  rooms  the  ruches  quivered,  the  little  bows  all  stood 
erect,  and  the  streamers  waved  in  the  breeze  so  comi- 
cally that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  for  Archie  to 
smother  the  Brats  in  the  curtains  till  they  had  had 
their  first  laugh  out. 

Uncle  Mac  had  brought  Fun  See  to  dinner,  and  it 
was  a  mercy  he  did,  for  the  elder  lads  found  a  vent 
for  their  merriment  in  joking  the  young  Chinaman  on 
his  improved  appearance.  He  was  in  American  cos- 
tume now,  with  a  cropped  head,  and  spoke  remarkably 
good  English  after  six  months  at  school ;  but,  for  all 
that,  his  yellow  face  and  beady  eyes  made  a  curious 
contrast  to  the  blonde  Campbells  all  about  him.  Will 
called  him  the  "  Typhoon,"  meaning  Tycoon,  and  the 
name  stuck  to  him  to  his  great  disgust. 

Aunt  Peace  was  brought  down  and  set  in  the  chair 
of  state  at  table,  for  she  never  failed  to  join  the  family 
on  this  day,  and  sat  smiling  at  them  all  "  like  an  em- 
bodiment of  Peace  on  earth,"  Uncle  Alec  said,  as  he 
took  his  place  beside  her,  while  Uncle  Mac  supported 
Aunt  Plenty  at  the  other  end. 

"I  ate  hardly  any  breakfast,  and  I've  done  every 
thing  I  know  to  make  myself  extra  hungry,  but  I  really 
don't  think  I  can  eat  straight  through,  unless  I  burst 
my  buttons  off,"  whispered  Geordie  to  Will,  as  he  sur- 
veyed the  bounteous  stores  before  him  with  a  hopeless 
sigh. 

"A  fellow  never  knows  what  he  can  do  till  he  tries," 


UNDER    THE    MISTLETOE.  231 

answered  Will,  attacking  liis  heaped-up  plate  with  the 
evident  intention  of  doing  his  duty  like  a  man. 

Everybody  knows  what  a  Christmas  dinner  is,  so  we 
need  waste  no  words  in  describing  this  one,  but  hasten 
at  once  to  tell  what  happened  at  the  end  of  it.  The 
end,  by  the  way,  was  so  long  in  coming  that  the  gas 
was  lighted  before  dessert  was  over,  for  a  snow  flurry 
had  come  on  and  the  wintry  daylight  faded  fast  But 
that  only  made  it  all  the  jollier  in  the  warm,  bright 
rooms,  full  of  happy  souls.  Every  one  was  very  merry, 
but  Archie  seemed  particularly  uplifted,  —  so  much  so, 
that  Charlie  confided  to  Rose  that  he  was  afraid  the 
Chief  had  been  at  the  decanters. 

Rose  indignantly  denied  the  insinuation,  for  when 
healths  were  drunk  in  the  good  old-fashioned  way  to 
suit  the  elders,  she  had  observed  that  Aunt  Jessie's 
boys  filled  their  glasses  with  water,  and  had  done  the 
same  herself  in  spite  of  the  Prince's  jokes  about  "  the 
rosy." 

But  Archie  certainly  vms  unusually  excited,  and 
when  some  one  remembered  that  it  was  the  anniversary 
of  Uncle  Jem's  wedding,  and  wished  he  was  there  to 
make  a  speech,  his  son  electrified  the  family  by  trying 
to  do  it  for  him.  It  was  rather  incoherent  and  flowery, 
as  maiden  speeches  are  apt  to  be,  but  the  end  was  con- 
sidered superb ;  for,  turning  to  his  mother  with  a  queer 
little  choke  in  his  voice,  he  said  that  she  "  deserved  to 
be  blessed  with  peace  and  plenty,  to  be  crowned  with 
roses  and  lads-love,  and  to  receive  the  cargo  of  happi- 
ness sailing  home  to  her  in  spite  of  wind  or  tide  to 
add  another  Jem  to  the  family  jewels." 

That  allusion  to  the  Captain,  now  on  his  return  trip, 


232  EIGHT ^  COUSINS. 

made  Mrs.  Jessie  sob  in  her  naiDkin,  and  set  the  boys 
cheering.  Then,  as  if  that  was  not  sensation  enough, 
Archie  suddenly  dashed  out  of  the  room  as  if  he  had 
lost  his  wits. 

"  Too  bashful  to  stay  and  be  praised,"  began  Charlie, 
excusing  the  peculiarities  of  his  chief  as  in  duty 
bound. 

"  Phebe  beckoned  to  him ;  I  saw  her,"  cried  Rose, 
staring  hard  at  the  door. 

"  Is  it  more  presents  coming  ?  "  asked  Jamie,  just  as 
his  brother  re-appeared  looking  more  excited  than 
ever. 

"  Yes;  a  present  for  mother,  and  here  it  is  !  "  roared 
Archie,  flinging  wide  the  door  to  let  in  a  tall  man  who 
cried  out, — 

"  Where 's  my  little  woman  ?  The  first  kiss  for  her, 
then  the  rest  may  come  on  as  fast  as  they  like." 

Before  the  words  were  out  of  his  mouth,  Mrs.  Jessie 
was  half  hidden  under  his  rough  great-coat,  and  four 
boys  were  prancing  about  him  clamoring  for  their  turn. 

Of  course,  there  was  a  joyful  tumult  for  a  time,  dur- 
ing which  Rose  slipped  into  the  window  recess  and 
watched  what  went  on,  as  if  it  were  a  chapter  in  a 
Christmas  story.  It  was  good  to  see  bluff  Uncle  Jem 
look  proudly  at  his  tall  son,  and  fondly  hug  the  little 
ones.  It  was  better  still  to  see  him  shake  his  brothers' 
hands  as  if  he  would  never  leave  off,  and  kiss  all  the 
sisters  in  a  way  that  made  even  solemn  Aunt  Myra 
brighten  up  for  a  minute.  But  it  was  best  of  all  to  see 
him  finally  established  in  grandfather's  chair,  with  his 
"  little  woman  "  beside  him,  his  three  youngest  boys  in 
his  lap,  and  Archie  hovering  over  him  like  a  large- 


UNDER    THE   MISTLETOE.  233 

sized  cherub.  That  really  was,  as  Charlie  said,  "A 
landscape  to  do  one's  heart  good." 

"  All  hearty  and  all  here,  thank  God  !  "  said  Captain 
Jem  in  the  first  pause  that  came,  as  he  looked  about 
him  with  a  grateful  face. 

"  All  but  Rose,"  answered  loyal  little  Jamie,  remem- 
bering the  absent. 

"  Faith,  I  forgot  the  child  !  Where  is  George's  little 
girl  ?  "  asked  the  Captain,  who  had  not  seen  her  since 
she  was  a  baby. 

"You'd  better  say  Alec's  great  girl,"  said  Uncle 
Mac,  who  professed  to  be  madly  jealous  of  his  brother. 

"  Here  I  am,  sir,"  and  Rose  appeared  from  behind 
the  curtains,  looking  as  if  she  had  rather  have  staid 
there. 

"  Saint  George  Germain,  how  the  mite  has  grown  !  " 
cried  Captain  Jem,  as  he  tumbled  the  boys  out  of  his 
lap,' and  rose  to  greet  the  tall  girl,  like  a  gentleman  as 
he  was.  But,  somehow,  when  he  shook  her  hand  it 
looked  so  small  in  his  big  one,  and  her  face  reminded 
him  so  strongly  of  his  dead  brother,  that  he  was  not 
satisfied  with  so  cold  a  welcoine,  and  with  a  sudden 
softening  of  the  keen  eyes  he  took  her  up  in  his  arms, 
whispering,  with  a  rough  cheek  against  her  smooth 
one, — 

"  God  bless  you,  child  !  forgive  me  if  I  forgot  you 
for  a  minute,  and  be  sure  that  not  one  of  your  kinsfolk 
is  happier  to  see  you  here  than  Uncle  Jem." 

That  made  it  all  right ;  and  when  he  set  her  down, 
Rose's  face  was  so  bright  it  was  evident  that  some 
spell  had  been  used  to  banish  the  feeling  of  neglect 
that  had  kept  her  moping  behind  the  curtain  so  long- 


234  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Then  every  one  sat  round  and  heard  all  about  the 
voyage  home,  —  how  the  CajDtain  had  set  his  heart  on 
getting  there  in  time  to  keep  Christmas ;  how  every 
thing  had  conspired  to  thwart  his  plan ;  and  how,  at 
the  very  last  minute,  he  had  managed  to  do  it,  and 
had  sent  a  telegram  to  Archie,  bidding  him  keep  the 
secret,  and  be  ready  for  his  father  at  any  moment,  for 
the  ship  got  into  another  port,  and  he  might  be  late. 

Then  Archie  told  how  that  telegram  had  burnt  in 
his  pocket  all  dinner-time ;  how  he  had  to  take  Phebe 
into  his  confidence,  and  how  clever  she  was  to  keep  the 
Captain  back  till  the  speech  was  over,  and  he  could 
come  in  with  effect. 

The  elders  would  have  sat  and  talked  all  the  even- 
ing, but  the  young  folks  were  bent  on  having  their 
usual  Christmas  frolic ;  so,  after  an  hour  of  pleasant 
chat,  they  began  to  get  restless,  and  having  consulted 
together  in  dumb  show,  they  devised  a  way  to  very 
effectually  break  up  the  family  council. 

Steve  vanished,  and,  sooner  than  the  boys  imagined 
Dandy  could  get  himself  up,  the  skirl  of  the  bag-pipe 
was  heard  in  the  hall,  and  the  bonny  piper  came  to 
lead  Clan  Campbell  to  the  revel. 

"  Draw  it  mild,  Stenie,  my  man  ;  ye  play  unco  weel, 
but  ye  mak  a  most  infernal,  din,"  cried  Uncle  Jem, 
with  his  hands  over  his  ears,  for  this  accomplishment 
was  new  to  him,  and  "  took  him  all  aback,"  as  he  ex- 
pressed it. 

So  Steve  droned  out  a  Highland  reel  as  softly  as  he 
could,  and  the  boys  danced  it  to  a  circle  of  admiring 
relations.  Captain  Jem  was  a  true  sailor,  however, 
and  could  not  stand  idle  while  any  thing  lively  was 


UNDER    THE    MISTLETOE.  235 

going  on  ;  so,  when  the  piper's  breath  gave  out,  he 
cut  a  splendid  pigeon-wing  into  the  middle  of  the  hall, 
saying,  "Who  can  dance  a  Fore  and  After?"  and, 
waiting  for  no  reply,  began  to  whistle  the  air  so  invit- 
ingly that  Mrs.  Jessie  "  set "  to  him  laughing  like  a 
girl ;  Rose  and  Charlie  took  their  places  behind,  and 
away  went  the  four  with  a  spirit  and  skill  that  inspired 
all  the  rest  to  "  cut  in  "  as  fast  as  they  could. 

That  was  a  grand  beginning,  and  they  had  many 
another  dance  before  any  one  would  own  they  were 
tired.  Even  Fun  See  distinguished  himself  with  Aunt 
Plenty,  whom  he  greatly  admired  as  the  stoutest  lady 
in  the  company;  plumpness  being  considered  a  beauty 
in  his  country.  The  merry  old  soul  professed  herself 
immensely  flattered  by  his  admiration,  and  the  boys 
declared  she  "  set  her  cap  at  him,"  else  he  would  never 
have  dared  to  catch  her  under  the  mistletoe,  and,  ris- 
ing on  the  tips  of  his  own  toes,  gallantly  salute  her  fat 
cheek. 

Plow  they  all  laughed  at  her  astonishment,  and  how 
Fun's  little  black  eyes  twinkled  over  this  exploit! 
Charlie  put  him  up  to  it,  and  Charlie  was  so  bent  on 
catching  Rose,  that  he  laid  all  sorts  of  pitfalls  for  her, 
and  bribed  the  other  lads  to  help  him.  But  Rose  was 
wide-awake,  and  escaped  all  his  snares,  professing  great 
contempt  for  such  foolish  customs.  Poor  Phebe  did 
not  fare  so  well,  and  Archie  was  the  one  who  took  a 
base  advantage  of  her  as  she  stood  innocently  offering 
tea  to  Aunt  Myra,  whom  she  happened  to  meet  just 
under  the  fatal  bough.  If  his  father's  arrival  had  not 
rather  upset  him,  I  doubt  if  the  dignified  Chief  would 
have  done  it,  for  he  apologized  at  once  in  the  hand- 


236 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


somest  manner,  and  caught  the  tray  that  nearly  dropped 
from  Phebe's  hands. 


Jamie  boldly  invited  all  the  ladies  to  come  and  salute 
him ;  and  as  for  Uncle  Jem,  he  behaved  as  if  the  entire 


UNDER    THE    MISTLETOE.  237 

room  was  a  grove  of  mistletoe.  Uncle  Alec  slyly  laid 
a  bit  of  it  on  Aunt  Peace's  cap,  and  then  softly  kissed 
ler ;  which  little  joke  seemed  to  please  her  very  much, 
for  she  liked  to  have  part  in  all  the  home  pastimes, 
and  Alec  was  her  favorite  nephew. 

Charlie  alone  failed  to  catch  his  shy  bird,  and  thei 
oftener  she  escaped  the  more  determined  he  was  to 
ensnare  her.  When  every  other  wile  had  been  tried 
in  vain,  he  got  Archie  to  propose  a  game  with  for- 
feits. 

"  I  understand  that  dodge,"  thought  Rose,  and  was 
on  her  guard  so  carefully  that  not  one  among  the  pile 
soon  collected  belonged  to  her. 

"  Now  let  us  redeem  them  and  play  something  else," 
said  Will,  quite  unconscious  of  the  deeply  laid  plots 
all  about  him. 

"  One  more  round  and  then  we  will,"  answered  the 
Prince,  who  had  now  baited  his  trap  anew. 

Just  as  the  question  came  to  Rose,  Jamie's  voice 
was  heard  in  the  hall  crying  distressfully,  "  Oh,  come 
quick,  quick  !  "  Rose  started  up,  missed  the  question, 
and  was  greeted  with  a  general  cry  of  "  Forfeit ! 
forfeit!"  in  which  the  little  traitor  came  to  join. 

"Now  I've  got  her,"  thought  the  young  rascal, 
exulting  in  his  fun-loving  soul. 

"  Now  I  'm  lost,"  thought  Rose,  as  she  gave  up  her 
pin-cushion  with  a  sternly  defiant  look  that  would  have 
daunted  any  one  but  the  reckless  Prince.  In  fact,  it 
made  even  him  think  twice,  and  resolve  to  "  let  Rose 
off  easy,"  she  had  been  so  clever. 

"Here's  a  very  pretty  pawn,  and  what  shall  be 
done  to  redeem  it?"  asked   Steve,  holding  the  pin- 


238  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

cushion  over  Charlie's  head,  for  he  had  insisted  on 
being  judge,  and  kept  that  for  the  last. 

"  Fine  or  superfine  ?  " 

"  Super." 

"  Hum,  well,  she  shall  take  old  Mac  under  the 
mistletoe  and  kiss  him  prettily.  Won't  he  be  mad, 
though  ?  "  —  and  this  bad  boy  chuckled  over  the  dis- 
comfort he  had  caused  two  harmless  beings. 

There  was  an  impressive  pause  among  the  young 
folks  in  their  corner,  for  they  all  knew  that  Mac 
looulcl  "be  mad,"  since  he  hated  nonsense  of  this 
sort,  and  had  gone  to  talk  with  the  elders  when 
the  game  began.  At  this  moment  he  was  standing 
before  the  fire,  listening  to  a  discussion  between  his 
uncles  and  his  father,  looking  as  wise  as  a  young 
owl,  and  blissfully  unconscious  of  the  plots  against 
him. 

Charlie  expected  that  Rose  Avould  say,  "  I  won't ! " 
therefore  he  was  rather  astonished,  not  to  say  grati- 
fied, when,  after  a  look  at  the  victim,  she  laughed 
suddenly,  and,  going  up  to  the  group  of  gentlemen, 
drew  her  uncle  Mac  under  the  mistletoe  and  surprised 
him  with  a  hearty  kiss. 

"Thank  you,  my  dear,"  said  the  innocent  gentle-. 
man,  looking  much  pleased  at  the  unexpected  honor. 

"Oh,  come;  that's  not  fair,"  began  Charlie.  But 
Rose  cut  him  short  by  saying,  as  she  made  him  a  fine 
courtesy,  — 

"You  said  'Old  Mac,'  and  though  it  was  very 
disres{)ectful,  I  did  it.  That  was  your  last  chance, 
sir,  and  you've  lost  it." 

He  certainly  had,  for,  as  she   spoke.  Rose   pulled 


UNDER    THE    MISTLETOE.  239 

down  the  mistletoe  and  threw  it  into  the  fire,  while 
the  boys  jeered  at  the  crest-fallen  Prince,  and  exalted 
quick-witted  Rose  to  the  skies. 

"What's  the  joke?"  'asked  young  Mac,  waked 
out  of  a  brown  study  by  the  laughter,  in  which  the 
elders  joined. 

But  there  was  a  regular  shout  when,  the  matter 
ha\dng  been  explained  to  him,  Mac  took  a  medi- 
tative stare  at  Rose  through  his  goggles,  and  said  in 
a  philosophical  tone,  "  Well,  I  don't  think  I  should 
have  minded  much  if  she  had  done  it." 

That  tickled  the  lads  immensely,  and  nothing  but 
the  appearance  of  a  slight  refection  would  have  in- 
duced them  to  stop  chaffing  the  poor  Worm,  who 
could  not  see  any  thing  funny  in  the  beautiful  resig- 
nation he  had  shown  on  this  trying  occasion. 

Soon  after  this,  the  discovery  of  Jamie  curled  up 
in  the  sofa  corner,  as  sound  asleep  as  a  dormouse, 
suggested  the  propriety  of  going  home,  and  a  general 
move  was  made. 

They  were  all  standing  about  the  hall  lingering 
over  the  good-nights,  when  the  sound  of  a  voice 
softly  singing  "  Sweet  Home,"  made  them  pause 
and  listen.  It  was  Phebe,  poor  little  Phebe,  who 
never  had  a  home,  never  knew  the  love  of  father 
or  mother,  brother  or  sister ;  who  stood  all  alone 
in  the  wide  world,  yet  was  not  sad  nor  afraid,  but 
took  her  bits  of  happiness  gratefully,  and  sung  over 
her  work  without  a  thought  of  discontent. 

I  fancy  the  happy  family  standing  there  together 
remembered  this  and  felt  the  beauty  of  it,  for  when 
the  solitary  voice  came  to  the  burden   of   its   song, 


240  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

other  voices  took  it  up  and  finished  it  so  sweetly, 
that  the  old  house  seemed  to  echo  the  word  "  Home  " 
in  the  ears  of  both  the  orphan  girls,  who  had  just 
spent  their  first  Christmas  under  its  hospitable  roof. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

A  SCARE. 

« TD  ROTHER   ALEC,   you   surely  don't   mean   to 

-L^  allow  that  child  to  go  out  such  a  bitter  cold 
day  as  this,"  said  Mrs.  Myra,  looking  into  the  study, 
where  the  Doctor  sat  reading  his  paper,  one  February 
morning. 

"  Why  not  ?  If  a  delicate  invalid  like  yourself  can 
bear  it,  surely  my  hearty  girl  can,  especially  as  she  is 
dressed  for  cold  weather,"  answered  Dr.  Alec  with 
provoking  confidence. 

"  But  you  have  no  idea  how  sharp  the  wind  is.  I 
am  chilled  to  the  very  marrow  of  my  bones,"  answered 
Aunt  Myra,  chafing  the  end  of  her  purple  nose  with 
her  sombre  glove. 

"  I  don't  doubt  it,  ma'am,  if  you  will  wear  crape  and 
silk  instead  of  fur  and  flannel.  Rosy  goes  out  in  all 
weathers,  and  will  be  none  the  worse  for  an  hour's 
brisk  skating." 

"  Well,  I  warn  you  that  you  are  trifling  with  the 
child's  health,  and  depending  too  much  on  the  seeming 
improvement  she  has  made  this  year.  She  is  a  delicate 
creature  for  all  that,  and  will  drop  away  suddenly  at 
the  first  serious  attack,  as  her  poor  mother  did,"  croaked 
Aunt  Myra,  with  a  despondent  wag  of  the  big  bonnet. 
11  p 


242  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  I  '11  risk  it,"  answered  Dr.  Alec,  knitting  his  brows, 
as  he  always  did  when  any  allusion  was  made  to  that 
other  Rose. 

"Mark  my  words,  you  will  repent  it,"  and,  with 
that  awful  prophecy,  Aunt  Myra  departed  like  a  black 
shadow. 

Now  it  must  be  confessed  that  among  the  Doctor's 
failings  —  and  he  had  his  share  —  was  a  very  masculine 
dislike  of  advice  which  was  thrust  upon  him  unasked. 
He  always  listened  with  respect  to  the  great-aunts,  and 
often  consulted  Mrs.  Jessie ;  but  the  other  three  ladies 
tried  his  patience  sorely,  by  constant  warnings,  com- 
plaints, and  counsels.  Aunt  Myra  was  an  especial 
trial,  and  he  always  turned  contrary  the  moment  she 
began  to  talk.  He  could  not  help  it,  and  often  laughed 
about  it  with  comic  frankness.  Here  now  was  a  sample 
of  it,  for  he  had  just  been  thinking  that  Rose  had 
better  defer  her  run  till  the  wind  went  down  and  the 
sun  was  warmer.  But  Aunt  Myra  spoke,  and  he  could 
not  resist  the  temptation  to  make  light  of  her  advice, 
and  let  Rose  brave  the  cold.  He  had  no  fear  of  its 
harming  her,  for  she  went  out  every  day,  and  it  was 
a  great  satisfaction  to  him  to  see  her  run  down  the 
avenue  a  minute  afterward,  with  her  skates  on  her 
arm,  looking  like  a  rosy-faced  Esquimaux  in  her  seal- 
skin suit,  as  she  smiled  at  Aunt  Myra  stalking  along 
as  solemnly  as  a  crow. 

"  I  hope  the  child  won't  stay  out  long,  for  this  wind 
is  enough  to  chill  the  marrow  in  younger  bones  than 
Myra's,"  thought  Dr.  Alec,  half  an  hour  later,  as  he 
drove  toward  the  city  to  see  the  few  patients  he  had 
consented  to  take  for  old  acquaintance'  sake. 


A    SCARE.  243 

The  thought  returned  several  times  that  morning, 
for  it  ivas  truly  a  bitter  day,  and,  in  spite  of  his  bear- 
skin coat,  the  Doctor  shivered.  But  he  had  great 
faith  in  Rose's  good  sense,  and  it  never  occurred  to 
him  that  she  was  making  a  little  Casabianca  of  herself, 
with  the  difference  of  freezing  instead  of  burning  at 
her  post. 

You  see,  Mac  had  made  an  appointment  to  meet 
her  at  a  certain  spot,  and  have  a  grand  skating  bout 
as  soon  as  the  few  lessons  he  was  allowed  were  over. 
She  had  promised  to  wait  for  him,  and  did  so  with  a 
faithfulness  that  cost  her  dear,  because  Mac  forgot  his 
appointment  when  the  lessons  were  done,  and  became 
absorbed  in  a  chemical  experiment,  till  a  general  com- 
bustion of  gases  drove  him  out  of  his  laboratory. 
Then  he  suddenly  remembered  Rose,  and  would  gladly 
have  hurried  away  to  her,  but  his  mother  forbade  his 
going  out,  for  the  sharp  wind  would  hurt  his  eyes. 

"  She  will  wait  and  wait,  mother,  for  she  always 
keeps  her  Avord,  and  I  told  her  to  hold  on  till  I  came," 
explained  Mac,  with  visions  of  a  shivering  little  figure 
watching  on  the  windy  hill-top. 

"  Of  course,  your  uncle  won't  let  her  go  out  such  a 
day  as  this.  If  he  does,  she  will  have  the  sense  to 
come  here  for  you,  or  to  go  home  again  when  you 
don't  appear,"  said  Aunt  Jane,  returning  to  her  "  Watts 
on  the  Mind." 

"  I  wish  Steve  would  just  cut  up  and  see  if  she's 
there,  since  I  can't  go,"  began  Mac,  anxiously. 

"  Steve  won't  stir  a  peg,  thank  you.  He  's  got  his 
own  toes  to  thaw  out,  and  wants  his  dinner,"  answered 
Dandy,  just  in  from  school,  and  wrestling  impatiently 
with  his  boots. 


244 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


So  Mac  resigned  himself,  and  Rose  waited  dutifully 
till  dinner-time  assured  her  that  her  waiting  was  in 
vain.  She  had  done  her  best  to  keep  warm,  had  skated 
till  she  was  tired  and  hot,  then  stood  watching  others 


till  she  was  chilled ;  tried  to  get  up  a  glow  again  by 
trotting  up  and  down  the  road,  but  failed  to  do  so, 
and  finally  cuddled  disconsolately  under  a  pine-tree  to 
wait  and'  watch.     When  she   at  length   started   for 


A    SCARE.  245 

home,  she  was  benumbed  with  the  cold,  and  could 
hardly  make  her  way  against  the  wind  that  buffeted 
the  frost-bitten  rose  most  unmercifully. 

Dr.  Alec  was  basking  in  the  warmth  of  the  study 
fire,  after  his  drive,  when  the  sound  of  a  stifled  sob 
made  him  hurry  to  the  door  and  look  anxiously  into 
the  hall.  Rose  lay  in  a  shivering  bunch  near  the 
register,  with  her  things  half  off,  wringing  her  hands, 
and  trying  not  to  cry  with  the  pain  returning  warmth 
brought  to  her  half-frozen  fingers. 

"  My  darling,  what  is  it  ?  "  and  Uncle  Alec  had  her 
in  his  arms  in  a  minute. 

"  Mac  did  n't  come  —  I  can  't  get  warm  —  the  fire 
makes  me  ache ! "  and  with  a  long  shiver  Rose  burst 
out  crying,  while  her  teeth  chattered,  and  her  poor 
little  nose  was  so  blue,  it  made  one's  heart  ache  to 
see  it. 

In  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it.  Dr.  Alec  had  her 
on  the  sofa  rolled  up  in  the  bear-skin  coat,  with  Phebe 
rubbing  her  cold  feet  while  he  rubbed  the  aching  hands, 
and  Aunt  Plenty  made  a  comfortable  hot  drink,  and 
Aunt  Peace  sent  down  her  own  foot-warmer  and  em- 
broidered blanket  "  for  the  dear." 

Full  of  remorseful  tenderness.  Uncle  Alec  worked 
over  his  new  patient  till  she  declared  she  was  all  right 
again.  He  would  not  let  her  get  up  to  dinner,  but  fed 
her  himself,  and  then  forgot  his  own  while  he  sat 
watching  her  fall  into  a  drowse,  for  Aunt  Plenty's 
cordial  made  her  sleepy. 

She  lay  so  several  hours,  for  the  drowse  deepened 
into  a  heavy  sleep,  and  Uncle  Alec,  still  at  his  post, 
saw  with  growing  anxiety  that  a  feverish  color  began 


246  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

to  burn  in  her  cheeks,  that  her  breathing  was  quick 
and  uneven,  and  now  and  then  she  gave  a  little  moan, 
as  if  in  pain.  Suddenly  she  woke  \x^  with  a  start,  and 
seeing  Aunt  Plenty  bending  over  her,  jDut  out  her  arms 
like  a  sick  child,  saying  wearily,  — 

"  Please,  could  I  go  to  bed  ?  " 

"  The  best  place  for  you,  deary.  Take  her  right  up, 
Alec  ;  I  've  got  the  hot  water  ready,  and  after  a  nice 
bath,  she  shall  have  a  cup  of  my  sage  tea,  and  be  rolled 
up  in  blankets  to  sleep  off  her  cold,"  answered  the  old 
lady,  cheerily,  as  she  bustled  away  to  give  orders. 

"  Are  you  in  pain,  darling  ?  "  asked  Uncle  Alec,  as 
he  carried  her  up. 

"  My  side  aches  wdien  I  breathe,  and  I  feel  stiff  and 
queer ;  but  it  is  n't  bad,  so  don't  be  troubled,  uncle," 
whispered  Rose,  with  a  little  hot  hand  against  his 
cheek. 

But  the  poor  Doctor  did  look  troubled,  and  had 
cause  to  do  so,  for  just  then  Rose  tried  to  laugh  at 
Dolly  charging  into  the  room  with  a  warming-pan,  bjit 
could  not,  for  the  sharp  pain  that  took  her  breath 
away,  and  made  her  cry  out. 

"  Pleurisy,"  sighed  Aunt  Plenty,  from  the  depths  of 
the  bath-tub. 

"Pewmonia!"  groaned  Dolly,  burrowing  among 
the  bedclothes  with  the  long-handled  pan,  as  if  bent 
on  fishing  up  that  treacherous  disease. 

"Oh,  is  it  bad?"  asked  Phebe,  nearly  dropping  a 
pail  of  hot  water  in  her  dismay,  for  she  knew  nothing 
of  sickness,  and  Dolly's  suggestion  had  a  peculiarly 
dreadful  sound  to  her. 

"  Hush  !  "  ordered  the  Doctor,  in  a  tone  that  silenced 


A    SCARE.  247 

all  further  predictions,  and  made  every  one  work  with 
a  will. 

"Make  her  as  comfortable  as  you  can,  and  when 
she  is  in  her  little  bed  I  '11  come  and  say  good-night," 
he  added,  when  the  bath  was  ready  and  the  blankets 
browning  nicely  before  the  fire. 

Then  he  went  away  to  talk  quite  cheerfully  to  Aunt 
Peace  about  its  being  "  only  a  chill ; "  after  which  he 
tramped  up  and  down  the  hall,  pulling  his  beard  and 
knitting  his  brows,  sure  signs  of  great  inward  pertur- 
bation. 

"  I  thought  it  would  be  too  good  luck  to  get  through 
the  year  without  a  downfall.  Confound  my  perver- 
sity !  why  could  n't  I  take  Myra's  advice  and  keep  Rose 
at  home.  It's  not  fair  that  the  poor  child  should 
suffer  for  my  sinful  over-confidence.  She  shall  not 
suffer  for  it !  Pneumonia,  indeed !  I  defy  it ! "  and 
he  shook  his  fist  in  the  ugly  face  of  an  Indian  idol 
that  happened  to  be  before  him,  as  if  that  particularly, 
hideous  god  had  some  spite  against  his  own  little  god- 
dess. 

In  spite  of  his  defiance  his  heart  sunk  when  he  saw 
Rose  again,  for  the  pain  was  worse,  and  the  bath  and 
blankets,  the  warming-pan  and  piping-hot  sage  tea, 
were  all  in  vain.  For  several  hours  there  was  no  rest 
for  the  poor  child,  and  all  manner  of  gloomy  forebod- 
ings haunted  the  minds  of  those  who  hovered  about 
her  with  faces  full  of  the  tenderest  anxiety. 

In  the  midst  of  the  worst  paroxysm  Charlie  came  to 
leave  a  message  from  his  mother,  and  was  met  by 
Phebe  coming  despondently  downstairs  with  a  mus- 
tard plaster  that  had  brought  no  relief. 


248  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  What  the  dickens  is  the  matter  ?  You  look  as  dis- 
mal as  a  tombstone,"  he  said,  as  she  held  up  her  hand 
to  stop  his  lively  whistling. 

"  Miss  Rose  is  dreadful  sick." 

"  The  deuce  she  is !  " 

"  Don't  swear,  Mr.  Charlie ;  she  really  is,  and  it 's 
Mr.  Mac's  fault,"  and  Phebe  told  the  sad  tale  in  a  few 
sharp  words,  for  she  felt  at  war  with  the  entire  race  of 
boys  at  that  moment. 

"I'll  give  it  to  him,  make  your  mind  easy  about 
that,"  said  Charlie,  with  an  ominous  doubling  up  of 
his  fist.  "  But  Rose  is  n't  dangerously  ill,  is  she  ?  "  he 
added  anxiously,  as  Aunt  Plenty  was  seen  to  trot 
across  the  upper  hall,  shaking  a  bottle  violently  as  she 
went. 

"Oh,  but  she  is,  though.  The  Doctor  don't  say 
much,  but  he  don't  call  it  a  '  chill '  any  more.  It 's 
'  pleurisy '  now,  and  I  'm  so  afraid  it  w\\\  be  jpewmonia 
to-morrow,"  answered  Phebe,  with  a  despairing  glance 
at  the  plaster. 

Charlie  exploded  into  a  stifled  laugh  at  the  new  pro- 
nunciation of  pneumonia,  to  Phebe's  great  indigna- 
tion. 

"  How  can  you  have  the  heart  to  do  it,  and  she  in 
such  horrid  pain  ?  Hark  to  that,  and  then  laugh  if  you 
darst,"  she  said  with  a  tragic  gesture,  and  her  black 
eyes  full  of  fire. 

Charlie  listened  and  heard  little  moans  that  went  to 
his  heart  and  made  his  face  as  sober  as  Phebe's.  "  O 
uncle,  please  stop  the  pain  and  let  me  rest  a  minute ! 
Don't  tell  the  boys  I  wasn't  brave.  I  try  to  bear  it, 
but  it 's  so  sharp  I  can't  help  crying." 


A    SCARE.  249 

Neither  could  Charlie,  when  he  heard  the  broken 
voice  say  that ;  but,  boy-like,  he  would  n't  own  it,  and 
said  pettishly,  as  he  rubbed  his  sleeve  across  his  eyes,  — 

"  Don't  hold  that  confounded  thing  right  under  my 
nose ;  the  mustard  makes  my  eyes  smart." 

"  Don't  see  how  it  can,  when  it  has  n't  any  more 
strength  in  it  than  meal.  The  Doctor  said  so,  and  I  'm 
going  to  get  some  better,"  began  Phebe,  not  a  bit 
ashamed  of  the  great  tears  that  were  bedewing  the 
condemned  plaster. 

"  I  '11  go !  "  and  Charlie  was  off  like  a  shot,  glad  of 
an  excuse  to  get  out  of  sight  for  a  few  minutes. 

When  he  came  back  all  inconvenient  emotion  had 
been  disposed  of,  and,  having  delivered  a  box  of  the 
hottest  mustard  procurable  for  money,  he  departed  to 
"  blow  up  "  Mac,  that  being  his  next  duty  in  his  ojiin- 
ion.  He  did  it  so  energetically  and  thoroughly,  that 
the  poor  Worm  was  cast  into  the  depths  of  remorseful 
despair,  and  went  to  bed  that  evening  feeling  that  he 
was  an  outcast  from  among  men,  and  bore  the  mark  of 
Cain  upon  his  brow. 

Thanks  to  the  skill  of  the  Doctor,  and  the  devotion 
of  his  helpers,  Rose  grew  easier  about  midnight,  and 
all  hoped  that  the  worst  was  over.  Phebe  was  making 
tea  by  the  study  fire,  for  the  Doctor  had  forgotten  to 
eat  and  drink  since  Rose  was  ill,  and  Aunt  Plenty  in- 
sisted on  his  having  a  "good,  cordial  dish  of  tea"  after 
his  exertions.  A  tap  on  the  window  startled  Phebe, 
and,  looking  up,  she  saw  a  face  peering  in.  She  was 
not  afraid,  for  a  second  look  showed  her  that  it  was 
neither  ghost  nor  burglar,  but  Mac,  looking  pale  and 
wild  in  the  wintry  moonlight. 


250  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Come  and  let  a  fellow  in,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone, 
and  when  he  stood  in  the  hall  he  clutched  Phebe's  arm, 
whispering  gruffly,  "  How  is  Rose  ?  " 

"Thanks  be  to  goodness,  she's  better,"  answered 
Phebe,  with  a  smile  that  was  like  broad  sunshine  to 
the  poor  lad's  anxious  heart. 

"  And  she  will  be  all  right  again  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  Oh,  dear,  no.  Dolly  says  she 's  sure  to  have  rheu- 
matic fever,  if  she  don't  have  noo-monia ! "  answered 
Phebe,  careful  to  pronounce  the  word  rightly  this 
time. 

Down  went  Mac's  face,  and  remorse  began  to  gnaw 
U  him  again  as  he  gave  a  great  sigh  and  said  doubt- 
fully,— 

"I  suppose  I  couldn't  see  her?" 

"  Of  course  not  at  this  time  of  night,  when  we  want 
her  to  go  to  sleep  !  " 

Mac  opened  his  mouth  to  say  something  more,  when 
a  sneeze  came  upon  him  unawares,  and  a  loud  "  Ah 
rash  hoo ! "  awoke  the  echoes  of  the  quiet  house. 

"  Why  did  n't  you  stop  it  ? "  said  Phebe  reproach- 
fully.    "I  dare  say  you've  waked  her  up." 

"Didn't  know  it  was  coming.  Just  my  luck!" 
groaned  Mac,  turning  to  go  before  his  unfortunate 
presence  did  more  harm. 

But  a  voice  from  the  stair-head  called  softly,  "  Mac, 
come  up ;  Rose  wants  to  see  you." 

Up  he  went,  and  found  his  uncle  waiting  for  him. 

"What  brings  you  here,  at  this  hour,  my  boy?" 
asked  the  Doctor  in  a  whisper. 

"  Charlie  said  it  was  all  my  fault,  and  if  she  died  I  'd 
killed  her.     I  couldn't  sleep,  so  I  came  to  see  how  she 


A    SCARE.  251 

was,  and  no  one  knows  it  but  Steve,"  he  said  with  such 
a  troubled  face  and  voice  that  the  Doctor  had  not  the 
heart  to  blame  him. 

Before  he  could  say  any  thing  more  a  feeble  voice 
called  "Mac!"  and  with  a  hasty  "Stay  a  minute  just 
to  please  her,  and  then  slip  away,  for  I  want  her  to 
sleep,"  the  Doctor  led  him  into  the  room. 

The  face  on  the  pillow  looked  very  pale  and 
childish,  and  the  smile  that  welcomed  Mac  was  very 
faint,  for  Rose  was  spent  with  jDain,  yet  could  not 
rest  till  she  had  said  a  word  of  comfort  to  her  cousin. 

"  I  knew  your  funny  sneeze,  and  I  guessed  that 
you  came  to  see  how  I  did,  though  it  is  very  late. 
Don't  be  worried.  I'm  better  now,  and  it  is  my 
fault  I  was  ill,  not  yours;  for  I  needn't  have  been 
so  silly  as  to  wait  in  the  cold  just  because  I  said  I 
would." 

Mac  hastened  to  explain,  to  load  himself  with 
reproaches,  and  to  beg  her  not  to  die  on  any  ac- 
count, for  Charlie's  lecture  had  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  the  poor  boy's  mind. 

"I  didn't  know  there  was  any  danger  of  my 
dying,"  and  Rose  looked  up  at  him  with  a  solemn 
expression  in  her  great  eyes. 

"  Oh,  I  hope  not ;  but  people  do  sometimes  go 
suddenly,  you  know,  and  I  couldn't  rest  till  I'd 
asked  you  to  forgive  me,"  faltered  Mac,  thinking 
that  Rose  looked  very  like  an  angel  already,  with 
the  golden  hair  loose  on  the  pillow,  and  the  meek- 
ness of  suffering  on  her  little  white  face. 

"  I  don't  think  I  shall  die ;  uncle  won't  let  me : 
but  if  I  do,  remember  I  forgave  you." 


252  EIGHT   COUSINb. 

She  looked  at  him  with  a  tender  light  in  her  eyes, 
and,  seeing  how  pathetic  his  dumb  giief  was,  she 
added  softly,  drawing  his  head  down  :  "  I  would  n't 
kiss  you  under  the  mistletoe,  but  I  will  now,  for 
I  want  you  to  be  sure  I  do  forgive  and  love  you  just 
the  same." 

That  quite  upset  poor  Mac ;  he  could  only  murmur 
his  thanks  and  get  out  of  the  room  as  fast  as  possible, 
to  grope  his  way  to  the  couch  at  the  far  end  of  the 
hall,  and  lie  there  till  he  fell  asleep,  worn  out  with 
trying  not  to  "make  a  baby"  of  himself. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

SOMETHING     TO     DO. 

WHATEVER  danger  there  might  have  been 
from  the  effects  of  that  sudden  chill,  it  was 
soon  over,  though  of  course  Aimt  Myra  refused  to 
believe  it,  and  Dr.  Alec  cherished  his  girl  with  re- 
doubled vigilance  and  tenderness  for  months  after- 
w^ard.  Rose  quite  enjoyed  being  sick,  because  as 
soon  as  the  pain  ended  the  fun  began,  and  for  a  w^eek 
or  two  she  led  the  life  of  a  little  princess  secluded 
in  the  Bower,  while  every  one  served,  amused,  and 
watched  over  her  in  the  most  delightful  manner. 
But  the  Doctor  was  called  away  to  see  an  old  friend 
who  was  dangerously  ill,  and  then  Rose  felt  like  a 
young  bird  deprived  of  its  mother's  sheltering  wing; 
especially  on  one  afternoon  when  the  aunts  were 
taking  their  naps,  and  the  house  was  very  still 
within  while  snow  fell  softly  without. 

"I'll  go  and  hunt  up  Phebe,  she  is  always  nice 
and  busy,  and  likes  to  have  me  help  her.  If  Dolly 
is  Out  of  the  way  we  can  make  caramels  and  surprise 
the  boys  when  they  come,"  Rose  said  to  herself,  as 
she  threw  down  her  book  and  felt  ready  for  society 
of  some  sort. 


254  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

She  took  the  precaution  to  peep  through  the  slide 
before  she  entered  the  kitchen,  for  Dolly  allowed 
no  messing  when  she  was  round.  But  the  coast  was 
clear,  and  no  one  but  Phebe  appeared,  sitting  at 
the  table  with  her  head  on  her  arms  apparently 
asleep.  Rose  was  just  about  to  wake  her  with  a 
"  Boo ! "  when  she  lifted  her  head,  dried  her  wet 
eyes  with  her  blue  apron,  and  fell  to  work  with  a 
resolute  face  on  something  she  was  evidently  much 
interested  in.  Rose  could  not  make  out  what  it 
was,  and  her  curiosity  was  greatly  excited,  for  Phebe 
was  writing  with  a  sputtering  pen  on  some  bits  of 
brown  paper,  apparently  copying  something  from  a 
little  book. 

"I  must  know  what  the  dear  thing  is  about,  and 
why  she  cried,  and  then  set  her  lips  tight  and  went 
to  work  with  all  her  might,"  thought  Rose,  forgetting 
all  about  the  caramels,  and,  going  round  to  the  door, 
she  entered  the  kitchen,  saying  pleasantly,  — 

"  Phebe,  I  want  something  to  do.  Can't  you  let 
me  help  you  about  any  thing?  or  shall  I  be  in  the 
way?" 

"  Oh,  dear,  no,  miss ;  I  always  love  to  have  you 
round  when  things  are  tidy.  What  would  you  like 
to  do?"  answered  Phebe,  opening  a  drawer  as  if 
about  to  sweep  her  own  affairs  out  of  sight :  but  Rose 
stopped  her,  exclaiming,  like  a  curious  child, — 

"  Let  me  see  !  What  is  it  ?  I  won't  tell  if  you  'd 
rather  not  have  Dolly  know." 

"  I  'm  only  trying  to  study  a  bit ;  but  I  'm  so  stupid 
I  don't  get  on  much,"  answered  the  girl  reluctantly, 
permitting  her  little  mistress  to  examine  the  poor 
contrivances  she  was  trying  to  work  with. 


SOMETHING    TO   DO.  255 

A  broken  slate  that  had  blown  off  the  roof,  an 
inch  or  two  of  pencil,  an  old  almanac  for  a  reader, 
several  bits  of  brown  or  yellow  paper  ironed  smoothly 
and  sewed  together  for  a  copy-book,  and  the  copies 
sundry  receipts  written  in  Aunt  Plenty's  neat  hand. 
These,  with  a  small  bottle  of  ink  and  a  rusty  pen, 
made  up  Phebe's  outfit,  and  it  was  little  wonder  that 
she  did  not  "  get  on "  in  spite  of  the  patient  per- 
sistence that  dried  the  desponding  tears  and  drove 
along  the  sputtering  pen  with  a  will. 

"You  may  laugh  if  you  want  to.  Miss  Rose,  I 
know  my  things  are  queer,  and  that's  why  I  hide 
'em ;  but  I  don't  mind  since  you  've  found  me  out, 
and  I  ain't  a  bit  ashamed  except  of  being  so  back- 
ward at  my  age,"  said  Phebe  humbly,  though  her 
cheeks  grew  redder  as  she  washed  out  some  crooked 
capitals  with  a  tear  or  two  not  yet  dried  upon  the 
slate. 

"  Laugh  at  you !  I  feel  more  like  crying  to  think 
what  a  selfish  girl  I  am,  to  have  loads  of  books  and 
things  and  never  remember  to  give  you  some.  Why 
didn't  you  come  and  ask  me,  and  not  go  struggling 
along  alone  in  this  way  ?  It  was  very  wrong  of  you, 
Phebe,  and  I  '11  never  forgive  you  if  you  do  so  again," 
answered  Rose,  with  one  hand  on  Phebe's  shoulder 
while  the  other  gently  turned  the  leaves  of  the  poor 
little  copy-book. 

"I  didn't  like  to  ask  for  any  thing  more  when 
you  are  so  good  to  me  all  the  time,  miss,  dear," 
began  Phebe,  looking  up  with  grateful  eyes. 

"O  you  proud  thing!  just  as  if  it  wasn't  fun  to 
give  away,  and  I  had  the  best  of  it.     Now,  see  here. 


256  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

I've  got  a  plan  and  you  mustn't  say  no,  or  I  shall 
scold.  I  want  something  to  do,  and  I'm  going  to 
teach  you  all  I  know ;  it  won't  take  long,"  and  Rose 
laughed  as  she  put  her  arm  around  Phebe's  neck,  and 
patted  the  smooth  dark  head  with  the  kind  little  hand 
that  so  loved  to  give. 

"It  would  be  just  heavenly!"  and  Phebe's  face 
shone  at  the  mere  idea;  bat  fell  again  as  she  added 
wistfully,  "  Only  I  'm  afraid  I  ought  not  to  let  you 
do  it,  Miss  Rose.  It  will  take  time,  and  maybe  the 
Doctor  wouldn't  like  it." 

"  He  did  n't  want  me  to  study  much,  but  he  never 
said  a  word  about  teaching,  and  I  don't  believe  he 
will  mind  a  bit.  Any  way,  we  can  try  it  till  he  comes, 
so  pack  up  your  things  and  go  right  to  my  room  and 
we  '11  begin  this  very  day ;  I  'd  truly  like  to  do  it, 
and  we  '11  have  nice  times,  see  if  we  don't ! "  cried 
Rose  engerly. 

It  was  a  pretty  sight  to  see  Phebe  bundle  her 
humble  outfit  into  her  apron,  and  spring  up  as  if 
the  desire  of  her  heart  had  suddenly  been  made  a 
happy  fact  to  her;  it  was  a  still  prettier  sight  to  see 
Rose  run  gayly  on  before,  smiling  like  a  good  fairy 
as  she  beckoned  to  the  other,  singing  as  she  went, — 

"  The  way  into  my  parlor  is  up  a  winding  stair, 
And  many  are  the  curious  things  I  '11  show  you  when  you  're 
there. 

Will  you,  will  you  walk  in,  Phebe  dear  ?  " 

"  Oh,  won't  I !  "  answered  Phebe  fervently,  adding, 
as  they  entered  the  Bower,  "  You  are  the  dearest 
spider  that  ever  was,  and  I  'm  the  happiest  fly." 

"  I'm  going  to  be  very  strict,  so  sit  down  in  that 


SOMETHING    TO    DO.  257 

chair  and  don't  say  a  word  till  school  is  readj  to 
open,"  ordered  Rose,  delighted  with  the  prospect  of 
such  a  useful  and  pleasant  "  something  to  do." 

So  Phebe  sat  demurely  in  her  place  while  her  new 
teacher  laid  forth  books  and  slates,  a  pretty  inkstand 
and  a  little  globe  ;  hastily  tore  a  bit  off  her  big  sponge, 
iSharpened  pencils  with  more  energy  than  skill,  and 
when  all  was  ready  gave  a  jDrance  of  satisfaction  that 
set  the  pupil  laughing. 

"  Now  the  school  is  open,  and  I  shall  hear  you  read, 
so  that  I  may  know  in  which  class  to  put  you,  Miss 
Moore,"  began  Rose  with  great  dignity,  as  she  laid  a 
book  before  her  scholar,  and  sat  down  in  the  easy  chair 
with  a  long  rule  in  her  hand. 

Phebe  did  pretty  well,  only  tripj3ing  now  and  then 
over  a  hard  word,  and  pronouncing  identical  "  iden- 
tickle,"  in  a  sober  way  that  tickled  Rose,  though  never 
a  smile  betrayed  her.  The  spelling  lesson  which  fol- 
lowed was  rather  discouraging  ;  Phebe's  ideas  of  geog- 
raphy were  very  vague,  and  grammar  was  nowhere, 
though  the  pupil  protested  that  she  tried  so  hard  to 
"  talk  nice  like  educated  folks  "  that  Dolly  called  her 
"  a  stuck-up  piece  who  did  n't  know  her  place." 

"  Dolly  's  an  old  goose,  so  don't  you  mind  her,  for 
she  will  say  '  nater,'  '  vittles,'  and  '  doos '  as  long  as 
she  lives,  and  insist  that  they  are  right.  You  do  talk 
very  nicely,  Phebe,  I  've  observed  it,  and  grammar 
will  help  you,  and  show  why  some  things  are  right  and 
others  ain't,  —  are  not,  I  mean,"  added  Rose,  correcting 
herself,  and  feeling  that  she  must  mind  her  own  parts 
of  speech  if  she  was  to  serve  as  an  example  for  Phebe. 

When  the  arithmetic  came  the  little   teacher  was 


258  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

surprised  to  find  her  scholar  quicker  in  some  things 
than  herself,  for  Phebe  had  worked  away  at  the  col 
umns  in  the  butcher's  and  baker's  books  till  she  could 
add  so  quickly  and  correctly  that  Rose  was  amazed, 
and  felt  that  in  this  branch  the  pupil  would  soon  excel 
the  teacher  if  she  kept  on  at  the  same  pace.  Her 
praise  cheered  Phebe  immensely,  and  they  went  bravely 
on,  both  getting  so  interested  that  time  flew  unheeded 
till  Aunt  Plenty  appeared,  exclaiming,  as  she  stared  at 
the  two  heads  bent  over  one  slate,  — 

"  Bless  my  heart,  what  is  going  on  now  ?  " 

"  School,  aunty.  I  'm  teaching  Phebe,  and  it 's 
great  fun !  "  cried  Rose,  looking  up  with  a  bright 
face. 

But  Phebe's  was  brighter,  though  she  added,  with  a 
wistful  look,  — 

"  Maybe  I  ought  to  have  asked  leave  first ;  only 
when  Miss  Rose  proposed  this,  I  was  so  happy  I  for- 
got to.     Shall  I  stop,  ma'am  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not,  child ;  I  'm  glad  to  see  you  fond  of 
your  book,  and  to  find  Rose  helping  you  along.  My 
blessed  mother  used  to  sit  at  work  with  her  maids 
about  her,  teaching  them  many  a  useful  thing  in  the 
good  old  fashion  that's  gone  by  now.  Only  don't 
neglect  your  work,  dear,  or  let  the  books  interfere 
with  the  duties." 

As  Aunt  Plenty  spoke,  with  her  kind  old  face  beam- 
ing approvingly  upon  the  girls,  Phebe  glanced  at  the 
clock,  saw  that  it  pointed  to  five,  knew  that  Dolly 
would  soon  be  down,  expecting  to  find  preparations 
for  supper  under  way,  and,  hastily  dropping  her  pencil, 
she  jumped  up,  saying, — 


SOMETHING    TO    DO.  259 

"  Please,  can  I  go  ?  I  '11  clear  uj)  after  I  Ve  done  my 
chores." 

"  School  is  dismissed,"  answered  Rose,  and  with  a 
grateful  "  Thank  you,  heaps  and  heaps  !  "  Phebe  ran 
away  singing  the  multijDlication  table  as  she  set  the  tea 
ditto. 

That  was  the  way  it  began,  and  for  a  week  the  class 
of  one  went  on  with  great  pleasure  and  profit  to  all  con- 
cerned ;  for  the  pupil  proved  a  bright  one,  and  came 
to  her  lessons  as  to  a  feast,  w^hile  the  young  teacher 
did  her  best  to  be  worthy  the  high  opinion  held  of  her, 
for  Phebe  firmly  believed  that  Miss  Rose  knew  every 
thing  in  the  way  of  learning. 

Of  course  the  lads  found  out  what  was  going  on, 
and  chaffed  the  girls  about  the  "  Seminary,"  as  they 
called  the  new  enterprise  ;  but  they  thought  it  a  good 
thing  on  the  whole,  kindly  offered  to  give  lessons  in 
Greek  and  Latin  gratis,  and  decided  among  themselves 
that  "  Rose  was  a  little  trump  to  giv^  the  Phebe-bird 
such  a  capital  boost." 

Rose  herself  had  some  doubts  as  to  how  it  would 
strike  her  uncle,  and  concocted  a  wheedlesome  speech 
which  should  at  once  convince  him  that  it  was  the 
most  useful,  wholesome,  and  delightful  plan  ever  de- 
vised. But  she  got  no  chance  to  deliver  her  address, 
for  Dr.  Alec  came  upon  her  so  unexpectedly  that  it 
went  out  of  her  head  entirely.  She  was  sitting  on  the 
floor  in  the  library,  poring  over  a  big  book  laid  open 
in  her  lap,  and  knew  nothing  of  the  long-desired  arrival 
till  two  large,  warm  hands  met  under  her  chin  and 
gently  turned  her  head  bnck,  so  that  some  one  could 
kiss  her  heartily  on  either  cheek,  while  a  fatherly  voice 


260  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

said,  half  reproachfully,  "Why  is  my  girl  brooding  over 
a  dusty  Encyclopedia  when  she  ought  to  be  running  to 
meet  the  old  gentleman  who  could  n't  get  on  another 
minute  without  her  ?  " 

"  O  uncle  !  I  'm  so  glad !  and  so  sorry !  Why 
did  n't  you  let  us  know  what  time  you  'd  be  here,  or 
call  out  the  minute  you  came  ?  Have  n't  I  been  home- 
sick for  you  ?  and  now  I  'm  so  happy  to  have  you  back 
I  could  hug  your  dear  old  curly  head  off,"  cried  Rose, 
as  the  Encyclopedia  went  down  with  a  bang,  and  she 
up  with  a  spring  that  carried  her  into  Dr.  Alec's  arms, 
to  be  kept  there  in  the  sort  of  embrace  a  man  gives  to 
the  dearest  creature  the  world  holds  for  him. 

Presently  he  was  in  his  easy  chair  with  Rose  uj^on 
his  knee  smiling  up  in  his  face  and  talking  as  fast  as 
her  tongue  could  go,  while  he  watched  her  with  an 
expression  of  supreme  content,  as  he  stroked  the 
smooth  round  cheek,  or  held  the  little  hand  in  his, 
rejoicing  to  see  how  rosy  was  the  one,  how  plump  and 
strong  the  other. 

^'- Have  you  had  a  good  time?  Did  you  save  the 
poor  lady?  ArenH  you  glad  to  be  home  again  with 
your  girl  to  torment  you  ?  " 

"Yes,  to  all  those  questions.  Now  tell  me  what 
you  've  been  at,  little  sinner  ?  Aunty  Plen  says  you 
want  to  consult  me  about  some  new  and  remarkable 
project  which  you  have  dared  to  start  in  my  absence." 

"  She  did  n't  tell  you,  I  hope  ?" 

"Not  a  word  more  except  that  you  were  rather 
doubtful  how  I  'd  take  it,  and  so  wanted  to  '  fess ' 
yourself  and  get  round  me  as  you  always  try  to  do, 
though  you  don't  often  succeed.  Now,  then,  own  up 
and  take  the  consequences." 


SOMETHING    TO    DO.  261 

So  Rose  told  about  her  school  in  her  pretty,  earnest 
way,  dwelling  on  Phebe's  hunger  for  knowledge,  and 
the  delight  it  was  to  help  her,  adding,  with  a  wise 
nod,  — 

"  And  it  helps  me  too,  uncle,  for  she  is  so  quick  and 
eager  I  have  to  do  my  best  or  she  will  get  ahead  of 
me  in  some  things.  To-day,  now,  she  had  the  word 
'  cotton  '  in  a  lesson  and  asked  all  about  it,  and  I  was 
ashamed  to  find  I  really  knew  so  little  that  I  could 
only  say  that  it  was  a  plant  that  grew  down  South  in 
a  kind  of  a  pod,  and  was  made  into  cloth.  That's 
what  I  was  reading  up  when  you  came,  and  to-morrow 
I  shall  tell  her  all  about  it,  and  indigo  too.  So  you 
see  it  teaches  me  also,  and  is  as  good  as  a  general 
review  of  what  I  've  learned,  in  a  pleasanter  way  than 
going  over  it  alone." 

"  You  artful  little  baggage !  that 's  the  way  you 
expect  to  get  round  me,  is  it  ?  That 's  not  studying,  I 
suppose  ?  " 

"No,  sir,  it's  teaching;  and  please,  I  like  it  much 
better  than  having  a  good  time  all  by  myself.  Besides, 
you  know,  I  adopted  Phebe  and  promised  to  be  a  sister 
to  her,  so  I  am  bound  to  keep  my  word,  am  I  not  ?  " 
answered  Rose,  looking  both  anxious  and  resolute  as 
she  waited  for  her  sentence. 

Dr.  Alec  was  evidently  already  won,  for  Rose  had 
described  the  old  slate  and  brown  paper  copy-book 
with  pathetic  effect,  and  the  excellent  man  had  not 
only  decided  to  send  Phebe  to  school  long  before  the 
story  was  done,  bilt  reproached  himself  for  forgetting 
his  duty  to  one  little  girl  in  his  love  for  another.  So 
w^hen  Rose  tried  to  look  meek  and  failed  utterly,  he 


262  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

laughed  and  pinched  her  cheek,  and  answered  in  that 
genial  way  which  adds  such  warmth  and  grace  to  any 
favor, — 

"  I  have  n't  the  slightest  objection  in  the  world.  In 
fact,  I  was  beginning  to  think  I  might  let  you  go  at 
your  books  again,  moderately,  since  you  are  so  well ; 
and  this  is  an  excellent  way  to  try  your  powers.  Phebe 
is  a  brave,  bright  lass,  and  shall  have  a  fair  chance  in 
the  world,  if  we  can  give  it  to  her,  so  that  if  she  ever 
finds  her  friends  they  need  not  be  ashamed  of  her." 

"  I  think  she  has  found  some  already,"  began  Rose 
eagerly. 

"  Hey  ?  what  ?  has  any  one  turned  up  since  I  've 
been  gone?"  asked  Dr.  Alec  quickly,  for  it  was  a 
firm  belief  in  the  family  that  Phebe  would  prove  to 
be  "  somebody  "  sooner  or  later. 

"No,  her  best  friend  turned  up  when  you  came 
home,  uncle,"  answered  Rose  with  an  approving  pat, 
adding  gratefully,  "  I  can't  half  thank  you  for  being 
so  good  to  my  girl,  but  she  will,  because  I  know  she 
is  going  to  make  a  woman  to  be  proud  of,  she  's  so 
strong  and  true,  and  loving." 

"  Bless  your  dear  heart,  I  have  n't  begun  to  do  any 
thing  yet,  more  shame  to  me !  But  I,'m  going  at  it 
now,  and  as  soon  as  she  gets  on  a  bit,  she  shall  go  to 
school  as  long  as  she  likes.  How  will  that  do  for  a 
beginning  ?  " 

"  It  will  be  *  just  heavenly,'  as  Phebe  says,  for  it  is 
the  wish  of  her  life  to  '  get  lots  of  schooling,'  and  she 
will  be  too  happy  when  I  tell  her.  May  I,  please  ?  — 
it  will  be  so  lovely  to  see  the  dear  thing  open  her  big 
eyes  and  clap  her  hands  at  the  splendid  news." 


SOMETHING    TO   DO.  263 

"  No  one  shall  have  a  finger  in  this  nice  little  pie ; 
you  shall  do  it  all  yourself,  only  don't  go  too  fast,  or 
make  too  many  castles  in  the  air,  my  dear ;  for  time 
and  patience  must  go  into  this  pie  of  ours  if  it  is  to 
turn  out  well." 

"  Yes,  uncle,  only  when  it  is  opened  won't '  the  birds 
begin  to  sing  ? '  "  laughed  Rose,  taking  a  turn  about 
the  room  as  a  vent  for  the  joyful  emotions  that  made 
her  eyes  shine.  All  of  a  sudden  she  stopped  and  asked 
soberly,  — 

"  If  Phebe  goes  to  school  who  will  do  her  work  ? 
I  'm  willing,  if  I  can." 

"  Come  here  and  I  '11  tell  you  a  secret.  Dolly's 
'  bones '  are  getting  so  troublesome,  and  her  dear  old 
temper  so  bad,  that  the  aunts  have  decided  to  pension 
her  off  and  let  her  go  and  live  with  her  daughter,  who 
has  married  very  well.  I  saw  her  this  week,  and  she  'd 
like  to  have  her  mother  come,  so  in  the  spring  we  shall 
have  a  grand  change,  and  get  a  new  cook  and  chamber- 
girl  if  any  can  be  found  to  suit  our  honored  relatives." 

"  Oh,  me !  how  can  I  ever  get  on  without  Phebe  ? 
Couldn't  she  stay,  just  so  I  could  see  her?  I  'd  pay 
her  board  rather  than  have  her  go,  I  'm  so  fond  of 
her." 

How  Dr.  Alec  laughed  at  that  proposal,  and  how 
satisfied  Rose  was  when  he  explained  that  Phebe  was 
still  to  be  her  maid,  with  no  duties  except  such  as  she 
could  easily  perform  between  school-hours. 

"  She  is  a  proud  creature,  for  all  her  humble  ways, 
and  even  from  us  would  not  take  a  favor  if  she  did  not 
earn  it  somehow.  So  this  arrangement  makes  it  all 
square  and  comfortable,  you  see,  and  she  will  pay  for 


264  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

the  schooling  by  curling  these  goldilocks  a  dozen  times 
a  day  if  you  let  her." 

"  Your  plans  are  always  so  wise  and  kind  !  That 's 
\vhy  they  work  so  w^ell,  I  suppose,  and  why  people  let 
you  do  what  you  like  with  them.  I  really  don't  see 
how  other  girls  get  along  without  an  Uncle  Alec  ! " 
answered  Rose,  with  a  sigh  of  pity  for  those  who  had 
missed  so  great  a  blessing. 

When  Phebe  was  told  the  splendid  news,  she  did 
not  "stand  on  her  head  with  rajDture,"  as  Charlie 
prophesied  she  would,  but  took  it  quietly,  because 
it  was  such  a  happy  thing  she  had  no  words  "  big 
and  beautiful  enough  to  thank  them  in,"  she  said ; 
but  every  hour  of  her  day  was  brightened  by  this 
granted  wish,  and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  those 
who  gave  it. 

Her  heart  was  so  full  of  content  that  it  overflowed 
in  music,  and  the  sweet  voice  singing  all  about  the 
house  gave  thanks  so  blithely  that  no  other  words 
were  needed.  Her  willing  feet  were  never  tired  of 
taking  steps  for  those  who  had  smoothed  her  way  ;  her 
skilful  hands  were  always  busy  in  some  labor  of  love 
for  them,  and  on  the  face  fast  growing  in  comeliness 
there  was  an  almost  womanly  expression  of  devotion, 
which  proved  how  well  Phebe  had  already  learned 
one  of  life's  great  lessons,  —  gratitude. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

PEACE-MAKING. 

a  Q^TEVE,  I  want  you  to  tell  me  something,"  said 
>^     Rose  to  Dandy,  who  was  making  faces  at  him- 
self in  the  glass,  while  he  waited  for  an  answer  to  the 
note  he  brought  from  his  mother  to  Aunt  Plenty. 
"  P'raps  I  will,  and  p'raps  I  won't.     What  is  it  ?  " 
"  Have  n't  Arch  and  Charlie  quarrelled  ?  " 
"  Dare  say  ;  we  fellows  are  always  having  little  rows, 
you  know.     I  do  believe  a  sty  is  coming  on  my  star- 
board eye,"  and  Steve  affected  to  be  absorbed  in  a 
survey  of  his  yellow  lashes. 

"  No,  that  won't  do  ;  I  want  to  know  all  about  it ; 
for  I  'm  sure  something  more  serious  than  a  '  little  row ' 
is  the  matter.  Come,  please  tell  me,  Stenie,  there 's  a 
dear." 

"  Botheration !  you  don't  want  me  to  turn  telltale, 
do  you?"  growled  Steve,  pulling  his  top-knot,  as  he 
always  did  when  perplexed. 

"Yes,  I  do,"  was  Rose's  decided  answer,  —  for  she 
saw  from  his  manner  that  she  was  right,  and  deter- 
mined to  have  the  secret  out  of  him  if  coaxing  would 
do  it.  "  I  don't  wish  you  to  tell  things  to  every  one,  of 
course,  but  to  me  you  may,  and  you  must,  because  I 
have  a  right  to  know.  You  boys  need  somebody  to 
look  after  you,  and  I  'm  going  to  do  it,  for  girls  are 
12 


266  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

nice  peace-makers,  and  know  how  to  manage  people. 
Uncle  said  so,  and  he  is  never  wrong." 

Steve  was  about  to  indulge  in  a  derisive  hoot  at  the 
idea  of  her  looking  after  them,  but  a  sudden  thought 
restrained  him,  and  suggested  a  way  in  which  he  could 
satisfy  Rose,  and  better  himself  at  the  same  time. 

"  What  will  you  give  me  if  I  '11  tell  you  every  bit 
about  it?"  he  asked,  with  a  sudden  red  in  his  cheeks, 
and  an  uneasy  look  in  his  eyes,  for  he  was  half  ashamed 
of  the  proposition. 

"  What  do  you  want  ?  "  and  Rose  looked  up  rather 
surprised  at  his  question. 

"  I  'd  like  to  borrow  some  money.  I  should  n't 
think  of  asking  you,  only  Mac  never  has  a  cent  since 
he 's  set  up  his  old  chemical  shop,  where  he  '11  blow 
himself  to  bits  some  day,  and  you  and  uncle  will  have 
the  fun  of  putting  him  together  again,"  and  Steve  tried 
to  look  as  if  the  idea  amused  him. 

"  I  '11  lend  it  to  you  with  pleasure,  so  tell  away,"  said 
Rose,  bound  to  get  at  the  secret. 

Evidently  much  relieved  by  the  promise,  Steve  set 
his  top-knot  cheerfully  erect  again,  and  briefly  stated 
the  case. 

"  As  you  say,  it 's  all  right  to  tell  yoic,  but  don't  let 
the  boys  know  I  blabbed,  or  Prince  will  take  my  head 
off.  You  see,  Archie  don't  like  some  of  the  fellows 
Charlie  goes  with,  and  cuts  'em.  That  makes  Prince 
mad,  and  he  holds  on  just  to  plague  Arch,  so  they  don't 
speak  to  one  another,  if  they  can  help  it,  and  that 's 
the  row." 

"  Are  those  boys  bad  ?  "  asked  Rose,  anxiously. 

"  Guess  not,  only  rather  wild.     They  are  older  than 


PEA  CE-MA  KING.  267 

our  fellows,  but  they  like  Prince,  he's  such  a  jolly- 
boy  ;  sings  so  well,  dances  jigs  and  breakdowns,  you 
know,  and  plays  any  game  that's  going.  He  beat 
Morse  at  billiards,  and  that 's  something-  to  brag  of, 
for  Morse  thinks  he  knows  every  thing.  I  saw  the 
match,  and  it  was  great  fun !  " 

Steve  got  quite  excited  over  the  prowess  of  Charlie, 
whom  he  admired  immensely,  and  tried  to  imitate. 
Rose  did  not  know  half  the  danger  of  such  gifts  and 
tastes  as  Charlie's,  but  felt  instinctively  that  somethiag 
must  be  wrong  if  Archie  disapproved. 

"  If  Prince  likes  any  billiard-playing  boy  better  than 
Archie,  I  don't  think  much  of  his  sense,"  she  said  se- 
verely. 

"  Of  course  he  does  n't ;  but,  you  see,  Charlie  and 
Arch  are  both  as  proud  as  they  can  be,  and  won't  give 
in.  I  suppose  Arch  is  right,  but  I  don't  blame  Charlie 
a  bit  for  liking  to  be  with  the  others  sometimes,  they 
are  such  a  jolly  set,"  and  Steve  shook  his  head  morally, 
even  while  his  eye  twinkled  over  the  memory  of  some 
of  the  exploits  of  the  "  jolly  set." 

"  Oh,  dear  me  !  "  sighed  Rose,  "  I  don't  see  what  I 
can  do  about  it,  but  I  wish  the  boys  would  make  up, 
for  Prince  can't  come  to  any  harm  with  Archie,  he's 
so  good  and  sensible." 

"  That 's  the  trouble  ;  Arch  preaches,  and  Prince 
won't  stand  it.  He  told  Arch  he  was  a  prig  and  a 
parson,  and  Arch  told  him  he  wasn't  a  gentleman. 
My  boots  !  were  n't  they  both  mad  though  !  I  thought 
for  a  minute  they'd  pitch  into  one  another  and  have 
it  out.  Wish  they  had,  and  not  gone  stalking  round 
stiff  and  glum  ever  since.     Mac  and  I  settle  our  rows 


2G8 


EIGHT    COUSINS. 


with  a  bat  or  so  over  the  head,  and  then  we  are  all 
right." 


7ir^iiy|ii|i|iii!lli|||iiiili 


Kose  couldn't  help  laughing  as  Steve  sparred  away 
at  a  fat  sofa-pillow,  to  illustrate  his  meaning ;  and,  hav- 
ing given  it  several  scientific  whacks,  he  pulled  down 


PEACE-MAKING.  269 

his  cuffs  and  smiled  upon  her  with  benign  pity  for  her 
leminine  ignorance  of  this  summary  way  of  settling 
r.  quarrel. 

"  What  droll  things  boys  are ! "  she  said,  with  a 
mixture  of  admiration  and  perplexity  in  her  face,  which 
Steve  accepted  as  a  compliment  to  his  sex. 

"  We  are  a  pretty  clever  invention,  miss,  and  you 
can't  get  on  without  us,"  he  answered,  with  his  nose 
in  the  air.  Then,  taking  a  sudden  plunge  into  business, 
he  added,  "How  about  that  bit  of  money  you  were 
going  to  lend  me?     I've  told,  now  you  pay  ujd." 

"  Of  course  I  will  i  How  much  do  you  want  ?  "  and 
Rose  pulled  out  her  purse. 

"  Could  you  spare  five  dollars?  I  want  to  pay  a 
little  debt  of  honor  that  is  rather  pressing,"  and  Steve 
put  on  a  mannish  air  tliat  was  comical  to  see. 

"  Are  n't  all  dabts  honorable  ?  "  asked  innocent  Rose. 

"  Yes,  of  course  ;  but  this  is  a  bet  I  made,  and  it 
ought  to  be  settled  up  at  once,"  began  Steve,  finding 
it  awkward  to  explain. 

"  Oh,  don't  bet,  it 's  not  right,  and  I  know  your  father 
would  n't  like  it.  Promise  you  won't  do  so  again,  please 
promise !  "  and  Rose  held  fast  the  hand  into  which  she 
had  just  put  the  money. 

"  Well,  I  won't.  It 's  worried  me  a  good  deal,  but 
i  was  joked  into  it.  Much  obliged,  cousin,  I'm  all 
right  now,"  and  Steve  departed  hastily. 

Having  decided  to  be  a  peace-maker.  Rose  waited 
foi  an  opportunity,  and  very  soon  it  came. 

She  was  spending  the  day  with  Aunt  Clara,  who 
had  been  entertaining  some  young  guests,  and  invited 
Rose  to  meet  them,  for  she  thought  it  high  time  her 


270  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

niece  conquered  her  bashfulness,  and  saw  a  little  of 
society.  Dinner  was  over,  and  every  one  had  gone. 
Aunt  Clara  was  resting  before  going  out  to  an  evening 
party,  and  Rose  was  waiting  for  Charlie  to  come  and 
take  her  home. 

She  sat  alone  in  the  elegant  drawing-room,  feeling 
particularly  nice  and  pretty,  for  she  had  her  best  frock 
on,  a  pair  of  gold  bands  her  aunt  had  just  given  her, 
and  a  tea-rose  bud  in  her  sash,  like  the  beautiful  Miss 
Van  Tassel,  whom  every  one  admired.  She  had  spread 
out  her  little  skirts  to  the  best  advantnge,  and,  leaning 
back  in  a  luxurious  chair,  sat  admiring  her  own  feet  in 
new  slippers  with  rosettes  almost  as  big  as  dahlias. 
Presently  Charlie  came  lounging  in,  looking  rather 
sleepy  and  queer.  Rose  thought.  On  seeing  her,  how- 
ever, he  roused  up  and  said  with  a  smile  that  ended  in 
a  gape,  — 

"  I  thought  you  were  with  mother,  so  I  took  forty 
winks  after  I  got  those  girls  off.  Now,  I  'm  at  your 
service,  Rosamunda,  whenever  you  like." 

"  You  look  as  if  your  head  ached.  If  it  does,  don't 
mind  me.  I  'm  not  afraid  to  run  home  alone,  it 's  so 
early,"  answered  Rose,  observing  the  flushed  cheeks 
nnd  heavy  eyes  of  her  cousin. 

"  I  think  I  see  myself  letting  you  do  it.  Champagne 
always  makes  my  head  ache,  but  the  air  will  set  me 
up." 

"Why  do  you  drink  it,  then?"  asked  Rose,  anx- 
iously. 

"  Can't  help  it,  when  I  'm  host.  Now,  don't  you 
begin  to  lecture ;  I  've  had  enough  of  Archie's  old' 
fashioned  notions,  and  I  don't  want  any  more." 


PEACE-MAKING.  271 

Charlie's  tone  was  decidedly  cross,  and  his  whole 
manner  so  unlike  his  usual  merry  good-nature,  that 
Rose  felt  crushed,  and  answered  meekly,  — 

"  I  was  n't  going  to  lecture,  only  when  people  like 
other  i^eople,  they  can't  bear  to  see  them  suffer  pain." 

That  brought  Charlie  round  at  once,  for  Rose's  lips 
trembled  a  little,  though  she  tried  to  hide  it  by  smelling 
the  flower  she  pulled  from  her  sash. 

"I'm  a  regular  bear,  and  I  beg  your  pardon  for 
being  so  cross.  Rosy,"  he  said  n  the  old  frank  way 
that  was  so  winning. 

"  I  wish  you  'd  beg  Archie's  too,  and  be  good  friends 
again.  You  never  were  cross  when  he  was  your  chum," 
Rose  said,  looking  up  at  him  as  he  bent  toward  her 
from  the  low  chimney-jDiece,  where  he  had  been  leaning 
his  elbows. 

In  an  instant  he  stood  as  stiff  and  straight  as  a  ram- 
rod, and  the  heavy  eyes  kindled  with  an  angry  spark 
as  he  said,  in  his  high  and  mighty  manner,  — 

"  You  'd  better  not  meddle  with  what  you  don't 
understand,  cousin." 

"  But  I  do  understand,  and  it  troubles  me  very  much 
to  see  you  so  cold  and  stiff  to  one  another.  You 
always  used  to  be  together,  and  now  you  hardly  speak. 
You  are  so  ready  to  beg  my  j^ardon  I  don't  see  why 
you  can't  beg  Archie's,  if  you  are  in  the  wrong." 

"  I  'm  not !  "  this  was  so  short  and  sharp  that  Rose 
started,  and  Charlie  added  in  a  calmer  but  still  very 
haughty  tone :  "  A  gentleman  always  begs  pardon 
when  he  has  been  rude  to  a  lady,  but  one  man  does  n't 
apologize  to  another  man  who  has  insulted  him." 
"  Oh,  my  heart,  what  a  pepperpot !  "   thought  Rose, 


272  EIGHT   COUSINS. 

and,  holding  to  make  him  laugh,  she  added  slyly :  "  I 
was  not  talking  about  men,  but  boys,  and  one  of  them 
a  Prince,  who  ought  to  set  a  good  example  to  his 
subjects." 

But  Charlie  would  not  relent,  and  tried  to  turn  the 
subject  by  saying  gravely,  as  he  unfastened  the  little 
gold  ring  from  his  watch-guard,  — 

"  I  've  broken  my  word,  so  I  want  to  give  this  back 
and  free  you  from  the  bargain.  I  'm  sorry,  but  I  think 
it  a  foolish  promise,  and  don't  intend  to  keep  it.  Choose 
a  pair  of  ear-rings  to  suit  yourself,  as  my  forfeit.  You 
have  a  right  to  wear  them  now." 

"  No,  I  can  only  wear  one,  and  that  is  no  use,  for 
Archie  will  keep  his  word  I  'm  sure  ! "  Rose  was  so 
mortified  and  grieved  at  this  downfall  of  her  hopes 
that  she  spoke  sharply,  and  would  not  take  the  ring 
the  deserter  offered  her. 

He  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  threw  it  into  her 
lap,  trying  to  look  cool  and  careless,  but  failing  entirely, 
for  he  was  ashamed  of  himself,  and  out  of  sorts  generally. 
Rose  wanted  to  cry,  but  pride  would  not  let  her,  and, 
being  very  angry,  she  relieved  herself  by  talk  instead 
of  tears.  Looking  pale  and  excited,  she  rose  out  of 
her  chair,  cast  away  the  ring,  and  said  in  a  voice  that 
she  vainly  tried  to  keep  steady,  — 

"  You  are  not  at  all  the  boy  I  thought  you  were, 
and  I  don't  respect  you  one  bit.  I  've  tried  to  help 
you  be  good,  but  you  won't  let  me,  and  I  shall  not 
try  any  more.  You  talk  a  great  deal  about  being  a 
gentleman,  but  you  are  not,  for  you  've  broken  your 
word,  and  I  can  never  trust  you  again.  I  don't  wish 
you  to  go  home  with  me.  I  'd  rather  have  Mary. 
Good-night." 


PEACE-MAKING.  273 

And  with  that  last  dreadful  blow,  Rose  walked  out 
of  the  room,  leaving  Charlie  as  much  astonished  as  if 
one  of  his  pet  pigeons  had  flown  in  his  face  and  pecked 
at  him.  She  was  so  seldom  angry,  that  when  her 
temper  did  get  the  better  of  her  it  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  the  lads,  for  it  w^as  generally  a  righteous 
sort  of  indignation  at  some  injustice  or  wrong-doing, 
not  childish  passion. 

Her  Httle  thunder-storm  cleared  off  in  a  sob  or  two 
as  she  j)ut  on  her  things  in  the  entry-closet,  and  when 
she  emerged  she  looked  the  brighter  for  the  shower. 
A  hasty  good-night  to  Aunt  Clara,  —  now  under  the 
hands  of  the  hair-dresser,  —  and  then  she  crept  down 
to  find  Mary  the  maid.  But  Mary  was  out,  so  was 
the  man,  and  Rose  slipped  away  by  the  back-door, 
flattering  herself  that  she  had  escaped  the  awkward- 
ness of  having  Charlie  for  escort. 

There  she  was  mistaken,  however,  for  the  gate  had 
hardly  closed  behind  her  when  a  well-known  tramp 
was  heard,  and  the  Prince  was  beside  her,  saying  in  a 
tone  of  penitent  politeness  that  banished  Rose's  wrath 
like  magic,  — 

"  You  need  n't  speak  to  me  if  you  don't  choose,  but 
I  must  see  you  safely  home,  cousin." 

She  turned  at  once,  put  out  her  hand,  and  answered 
heartily,  — 

"  7" was  the  cross  one..  Please  forgive  me,  and  let's 
be  friends  again." 

Now  that  was  better  than  a  dozen  sermons  on  the 
beauty  of  forgiveness,  and  did  Charlie  more  good,  for 
it  showed  him  how  sweet  humility  was,  and  proved 
that  Rose  practised  as  she  preached. 

12*  R 


274  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

He  shook  the  hand  warmly,  then  drew  it  through 
his  arm  and  said,  as  if  anxious  to  recover  the  good 
opinion  with  the  loss  of  which  he  had  been  threat- 
ened,— 

*'  Look  here,  Rosy,  I  've  jDut  the  ring  back,  and  I  'm 
going  to  try  again.  But  you  don't  know  how  hard  it 
is  to  stand  being  laughed  at." 

"  Yes,  I  do !  Ariadne  plagues  me  every  time  I  see 
her,  because  I  don't  wear  ear-rings  after  all  the  trouble 
I  had  getting  ready  for  them." 

"  Ah,  but  her  twaddle  is  n't  half  as  bad  as  the  chaffing 
I  get.  It  takes  a  deal  of  pluck  to  hold  out  when  you 
are  told  you  are  tied  to  an  apron-string,  and  all  that 
sort  of  thing,"  sighed  Charlie. 

"  I  thought  you  had  a  '  deal  of  pluck,'  as  you  call  it. 
The  boys  all  say  you  are  the  bravest  of  the  seven,'* 
said  Rose. 

"  So  I  am  about  some  things,  but  I  cannot  bear  to 
be  laughed  at." 

"  It  is  hard,  but  if  one  is  right  won't  that  make  it 
easier  ?  " 

"Not  to  me ;  it  might  to  a  pious  parson  like  Arch." 

"  Please  don't  call  him  names  !  I  guess  he  has  what 
is  called  moral  courage,  and  you  physical  courage. 
Uncle  explained  the  difference  to  me,  and  moral  is  the 
best,  though  often  it  doesn't  look  so,"  said  Rose 
thoughtfully. 

Charlie  didn't  like  that,  and  answered  quickly,  "  I 
don't  believe  he  'd  stand  it  any  better  than  I  do,  if  he 
had  those  fellows  at  him." 

"  Perhaps  that 's  why  he  keeps  out  of  their  way,  and 
wants  you  to." 


PEA  CE-MA  KING.  275 

Rose  had  liini  there,  and  Charlie  felt  it,  but  would 
not  give  in  just  yet,  though  he  was  going  fast,  for, 
somehow,  in  the  dark  he  seemed  to  see  things  clearer 
than  in  the  light,  and  found  it  very  easy  to  be  confi- 
dential when  it  was  "  only  Rose." 

"  If  he  was  my  brother,  now,  he  'd  have  some  right 
to  interfere,"  began  Charlie,  in  an  injured  tone. 

"  I  wish  he  was  !  "  cried  Rose. 

"  So  do  I,"  answered  Charlie,  and  then  they  both 
lauglied  at  his  inconsistency. 

The  laugh  did  them  good,  and  when  Prince  spoke 
again,  it  was  in  a  different  tone,  —  pensive,  not  proud 
nor  perverse. 

"  You  see,  it 's  hard  upon  me  that  I  have  no  brothers 
and  sisters.  The  others  are  better  off  and  need  n't  go 
abroad  for  chums  if  they  don't  like.  I  am  all  alone, 
and  I  'd  be  thankful  even  for  a  little  sister." 

Rose  thought  that  very  pathetic,  and,  overlooking 
the  uncomplimentary  word  "  even"  in  that  last  sentence, 
she  said,  with  a  timid  sort  of  earnestness  that  conquered 
her  cousin  at  once,  — 

"  Play  I  was  a  little  sister.  I  know  I  'm  silly,  but 
perhaps  I  'm  better  than  nothing,  and  I  'd  dearly  love 
to  do  it." 

"  So  should  I !  and  we  will,  for  you  are  not  silly,  my 
dear,  but  a  very  sensible  girl,  we  all  think,  and  I'm 
proud  to  have  you  for  a  sister.  There,  now!"  and 
Charlie  looked  down  at  the  curly  head  bobbing  along 
beside  him,  with  real  affection  in  his  face. 

Rose  gave  a  skip  of  pleasure,  and  laid  one  seal-skin 
mitten  over  the  other  on  his  arm,  as  she  said  hap- 
pily*— 


276  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  That  's  so  nice  of  you !  Now,  you  need  n't  be 
lonely  any  more,  and  I  '11  try  to  fill  Archie's  place  till 
he  comes  back,  for  I  know  he  will,  as  soon  as  you  let 
him." 

"  Well,  I  don't  mind  telling  you  that  while  he  was 
my  mate  I  never  missed  brothers  and  sisters,  or  wanted 
any  one  else ;  but  since  he  cast  me  off,  I  '11  be  hanged 
if  I  don't  feel  as  forlorn  as  old  Crusoe  before  Friday 
turned  up." 

This  burst  of  confidence  confirmed  Rose  in  her  pur- 
pose of  winning  Charlie's  Mentor  back  to  him,  but  she 
said  no  more,  contented  to  have  done  so  well.  They 
parted  excellent  friends,  and  Prince  went  home,  won- 
dering why  "  a  fellow  did  n't  mind  saying  things  to  a 
girl  or  woman  which  they  would  die  before  they  'd  own 
to  another  fellow." 

Rose  also  had  some  sage  reflections  upon  the  sub- 
ject, and  fell  asleep  thinking  that  there  were  a  great 
many  curious  things  in  this  world,  and  feeling  that  she 
was  beginning  to  find  out  some  of  them. 

Next  day  she  trudged  up  the  hill  to  see  Archie,  and 
having  told  him  as  much  as  she  thought  best  about 
her  talk  with  Charlie,  begged  him  to  forget  and  for- 
give. 

"  I  've  been  thinking  that  perhaps  I  ought  to,  though 
I  «m  in  the  right.  I  'm  no  end  fond  of  Charlie,  and 
he  's  the  best-hearted  lad  alive ;  but  he  can't  say  No, 
and  that  will  play  the  mischief  with  him,  if  he  does  not 
take  care,"  said  Archie  in  his  grave,  kind  way. 
"  While  father  was  home,  I  was  very  busy  with  him, 
so  Prince  got  into  a  set  I  don't  like.  They  try  to  be 
fast,  and  think  it 's  manly,  and  they  flatter  him,  and 


PEACE-MAKING.  211 

lead  him  on  to  do  all  sorts  of  things,  —  play  for  money, 
and  bet,  and  loaf  about.  I  hate  to  have  him  do  so, 
and  tried  to  stop  it,  but  went  to  work  the  Avrong  way, 
so  we  got  into  a  mess." 

"  He  is  all  ready  to  make  up  if  you  don't  say  much, 
for  he  owned  to  me  he  teas  wrong ;  but  I  don't  think 
he  will  own  it  to  you,  in  words,"  began  Rose. 

"  I  don't  care  for  that ;  if  he  '11  just  droj^  those  row- 
dies and  come  back,  I  '11  hold  my  tongue  and  not 
preach.  I  wonder  if  he  owes  those  fellows  money, 
and  so  does  n't  like  to  break  off  till  he  can  pay  it.  I 
hope  not,  but  don't  dare  to  ask;  though,  perhaps, 
Steve  knows,  he 's  always  after  Prince,  more's  the 
pity,"  and  Archie  looked  anxious. 

"  I  think  Steve  does  know,  for  he  talked  about  debts 
of  honor  the  day  I  gave  him  — "  There  Rose  stoi^ped 
short  and  turned  scarlet. 

But  Archie  ordered  her  to  "  fess,"  and  had  the  whole 
story  in  five  minutes,  for  none  dared  disobey  the  Chief. 
He  completed  her  affliction  by  putting  a  five-dollar  bill 
into  her  pocket  by  main  force,  looking  both  indignant 
and  resolute  as  he  said,  — 

"  Never  do  so,  again ;  but  send  Steve  to  me,  if  he  is 
afraid  to  go  to  his  father.  Charlie  had  nothing  to  do 
with  that ;  he  would  n't  borrow  a  penny  of  a  girl,  don't 
think  it.  But  that's  the  harm  he  does  Steve,  who 
adores  him,  and  tries  to  be  like  him  in  all  things. 
Don't  say  a  word ;  I  '11  make  it  all  right,  and  no  one 
shall  blame  you." 

"  Oh,  me  !  I  always  make  trouble  by  trying  to  help, 
and  then  letting  out  the  wrong  thing,"  sighed  Rose, 
much  depressed  by  her  slip  of  the  tongue. 


278  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

Archie  comforted  her  with  the  novel  remark  that  it 
was  always  best  to  tell  the  truth,  and  made  her  quite 
cheerful  by  promising  to  heal  the  breach  with  Charlie, 
as  soon  as  possible. 

He  kept  his  word  so  well  that  the  very  next  after- 
noon, as  Rose  looked  out  of  the  window,  she  beheld 
the  joyful  spectacle  of  Archie  and  Prince  coming  up 
the  avenue,  arm-in-arm,  as  of  old,  talking  away  as  if  to 
make  ujd  for  the  unhappy  silence  of  the  past  weeks. 

Rose  dropped  her  work,  hurried  to  the  door,  and, 
opening  it  wide,  stood  there  smiling  down  upon  them 
so  happily,  that  the  faces  of  the  lads  brightened  as 
they  ran  up  the  steps  eager  to  show  that  all  was  well 
with  them. 

"  Here's  our  little  peace-maker ! "  said  Archie,  shak- 
ing hands  with  vigor. 

But  Charlie  added,  with  a  look  that  made  Roses  very ' 
proud  and  happy,  "  And  my  little  sister." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

WHICH  ? 

"  T  TNCLE,  I  have  discovered  what  girls  are  made 

^  for,"  said  Rose,  the  day  after  the  reconcilia- 
tion of  Archie  and  the  Prince. 

"  Well,  my  dear,  what  is  it  ?  "  asked  Dr.  Alec,  who 
was  "  planking  the  deck,"  as  he  called  his  daily  prom- 
enade up  and  down  the  hall. 

"  To  take  care  of  boys,"  answered  Rose,  quite  beam- 
ing with  satisfaction  as  she  spoke.  "  Phebe  laughed 
when  I  told  her,  and  said  she  thought  girls  had  better 
learn  to  take  care  of  themselves  first.  But  that 's  be- 
cause she  has  n't  got  seven  boy-cousins  as  I  have." 

"  She  is  right,  nevertheless.  Rosy,  and  so  are  you,  for 
the  two  things  go  together,  and  in  helping  seven  lads 
you  are  unconsciously  doing  much  to  improve  one 
lass,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  stopping  to  nod  and  smile  at  the 
bright-faced  figure  resting  on  the  old  bamboo  chair, 
after  a  lively  game  of  battledore  and  shuttlecock,  in 
place  of  a  run  which  a  storm  prevented. 

"  Am  I  ?  I  'm  glad  of  that,  but  really,  uncle,  I  do 
feel  as  if  I  must  take  care  of  the  boys,  for  they  come 
to  me  in  all  sorts  of  troubles,  and  ask  advice,  and  I 
like  it  so  much.     Only  I  don't  always  know  what  to 


280  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

do,  and  I  'm  going  to  consult  you  privately  and  then 
surprise  them  with  my  wisdom." 

"  All  right,  my  dear  ;  what 's  the  first  worry  ?  I  see 
you  have  something  on  your  little  mind,  so  come  and 
tell  uncle." 

Rose  put  her  arm  in  his,  and,  pacing  to  and  fro, 
told  him  all  about  Charlie,  asking  what  she  could  do 
to  keep  him  straight,  and  be  a  real  sister  to  him. 

"  Could  you  make  up  your  mind  to  go  and  stay  with 
Aunt  Clara  a  month  ? "  asked  the  Doctor,  when  she 
ended. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  I  should  n't  like  it.  Do  you  really 
want  me  to  go  ?  " 

"  The  best  cure  for  Charlie  is  a  daily  dose  of  Rose 
water,  or  Rose  and  water  ;  will  you  go  and  see  that  he 
takes  it  ?  "  laughed  Dr.  Alec. 

"  You  mean  that  if  I  'm  there  and  try  to  make  it 
pleasant,  he  will  stay  at  home  and  keep  out  of  mis- 
chief?" 

"  Exactly." 

"  But  could  I  make  it  pleasant  ?  He  would  want 
the  boys." 

"  No  danger  but  he  'dhave  the  boys,  for  they  swarm 
after  you  like  bees  after  their  queen.  Have  n't  you 
found  that  out  ?  " 

"  Aunt  Plen  often  says  they  never  used  to  be  here 
half  so  much  before  I  came,  but  I  never  thought  / 
made  the  difference,  it  seemed  so  natural  to  have  them 
round." 

"  Little  Modesty  does  n't  know  what  a  magnet  she 
is ;  but  she  will  find  it  out  some  day,"  and  the  Doctor 
softly  stroked  the  cheek  that  had  grown  rosy  with 


WHICH?  .  281 

pleasure  at  the  thought  of  being  so  much  loved. 
"  Now,  you  see,  if  I  move  the  magnet  to  Aunt  Clara's, 
the  lads  will  go  there  as  sure  as  iron  to  steel,  and 
Charlie  will  be  so  hajjpy  at  home  he  won't  care  for 
these  mischievous  mates  of  his ;  I  hope,"  added  the 
Doctor,  well  knowing  how  hard  it  was  to  wean  a 
geventeen-year-old  boy  from  his  first  taste  of  what 
is  called  "seeing  life,"  which,  alas!  often  ends  in 
seeing   death. 

"  I  '11  go,  uncle,  right  away  !  Aunt  Clara  is  always 
asking  me,  and  will  be  glad  to  get  me.  I  shall  have  to 
dress  and  dine  late,  and  see  lots  of  company,  and  be 
very  fashionable,  but  I  '11  try  not  to  let  it  hurt  me ; 
and  if  I  get  in  a  puzzle  or  worried  about  any  thing  I 
can  run  to  you,"  answered  Rose,  good-will  conquering 
timidity. 

So  it  was  decided,  and  without  saying  much  about 
the  real  reason  for  this  visit.  Rose  was  transplanted  to 
Aunt  Clara's,  feeling  that  she  had  a  work  to  do,  and 
very  eager  to  do  it  well. 

Dr.  Alec  was  right  about  the  bees,  for  the  boys  did 
follow  their  queen,  and  astonished  Mrs.  Clara  by 
their  sudden  assiduity  in  making  calls,  dropping  in  to 
dinner,  and  getting  up  evening  frolics.  Charlie  was  a 
devoted  host,  and  tried  to  show  his  gratitude  by  being 
very  kind  to  his  "  little  sister,"  for  he  guessed  why  she 
came,  and  his  heart  was  touched  by  her  artless  endeav- 
ors to  "  help  him  be  good." 

Rose  often  longed  to  be  back  in  the  old  house,  with 
the  simpler  pleasures  and  more  useful  duties  of  the  life 
there  ;  but,  having  made  up  her  mind,  in  spite  of 
Phebe,  that  "  girls  were  made  to  take  care  of  boys," 


282  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

her  motherly  little  soul  found  much  to  enjoy  in  the 
new  task  she  had  undertaken. 

It  was  a  pretty  sight  to  see  the  one  earnest,  sweet- 
faced  girl  among  the  flock  of  tall  lads,  trying  to  under- 
stand, to  help  and  please  them  with  a  patient  affection 
that  worked  many  a  small  miracle  unperceived.  Slang, 
rough  manners,  and  careless  habits  were  banished  or 
bettered  by  the  presence  of  a  little  gentlewoman ;  and 
all  the  manly  virtu-?s  cropping  up  were  encouraged  by 
the  hearty  admiration  bestowed  upon  them  by  one 
whose  good  opinion  all  valued  more  than  they  con 
fessed ;  while  Rose  tried  to  imitate  the  good  qualiv 
ies  she  praised  in  them,  to  put  away  her  girlish 
vanities  and  fears,  to  be  strong  and  just  and  frank 
and  brave  as  well  as  modest,  kind,  and  beautiful. 

This  trial  worked  so  well  that  when  tfie  month  was 
over,  Mac  and  Steve  demanded  a  visit  in  their  turn, 
and  Rose  went,  feeling  that  she  would  like  to  hear 
grim  Aunt  Jane  say,  as  Aunt  Clara  did  at  parting,  "  I 
wish  I  could  keep  you  all  my  life,  dear." 

After  Mac  and  Steve  had  had  their  turn,  Archie 
and  Company  bore  her  away  for  some  weeks  ;  and 
with  them  she  was  so  happy,  she  felt  as  if  she  would 
like  to  stay  for  ever,  if  she  could  have  Uncle  Alec  also. 

Of  course.  Aunt  Myra  could  not  be  neglected,  and, 
with  secret  despair,  Rose  went  to  the  "  Mausoleum," 
as  the  boys  called  her  gloomy  abode.  Fortunately, 
she  was  very  near  home,  and  Dr.  Alec  dropped  in 
so  often  that  her  visit  was  far  less  dismal  than  she 
expected.  Between  them,  they  actually  made  Aunt 
Myra  laugh  heartily  more  than  once ;  and  Rose  did 
her  so  much  good  by  letting  in  the  sunshine,  singing 


WHICH^  283 

about  the  silent  house,  cooking  wholesome  messes,  and 
amusing  the  old  lady  with  funny  little  lectures  on 
physiology,  that  she  forgot  to  take  her  pills  and  gave 
up  "  Mum's  Elixir,"  because  she  slept  so  well,  after , 
the  long  walks  and  drives  she  was  beguiled  into  tak- 
ing, that  she  needed  no  narcotic. 

So  the  winter  flew  rapidly  away,  and  it  was  May 
before  Rose  was  fairly  settled  again  at  home.  They 
called  her  the  "  Monthly  Rose,"  because  she  had  spent 
a  month  with  each  of  the  aunts,  and  left  such  pleasant 
memories  of  bloom  and  fragrance  behind  her,  that  all 
wanted  the  family  flower  back  again. 

Dr.  Alec  rejoiced  greatly  over  his  recovered  treas- 
ure ;  but  as  the  time  drew  near  when  his  year  of  ex- 
periment ended,  he  had  many  a  secret  fear  that  Rose 
might  like  to  make  her  home  for  the  next  twelvemonth 
with  Aunt  Jessie,  or  even  Aunt  Clara,  for  Charlie's 
sake.  He  said  nothing,  but  waited  with  much  anxiety 
for  the  day  when  the  matter  should  be  decided ;  and 
while  he  waited  he  did  his  best  to  finish  as  far  as  pos- 
sible the  task  he  had  begun  so  well. 

Rose  was  very  happy  now,  being  out  nearly  all  day 
enjoying  the  beautiful  awakening  of  the  world,  for 
spring  came  bright  and  early,  as  if  anxious  to  do 
its  part.  The  old  horse-chestnuts  budded  round  her 
windows,  green  things  sprung  up  like  magic  in  the 
garden  under  her  hands,  hardy  flowers  bloomed  as 
fast  as  they  could,  the  birds  sang  blithely  overhead, 
and  every  day  a  chorus  of  pleasant  voices  cried, 
"Good  morning,  cousin,  isn't  it  jolly  weather?" 

No  one  remembered  the  date  of  the  eventful  con- 
versation which  resulted  in  the  Doctor's  experiment 


284  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

(no  one  but  himself  at  least) ;  so  when  the  aunts  were 
invited  to  tea  one  Saturday  they  came  quite  unsuspi- 
ciously, and  were  all  sitting  together  having  a  social 
chat,  when  Brother  Alec  entered  with  two  photographs 
in  his  hand. 

"  Do  you  remember  that  ? "  he  said,  showing  one 
to  Aunt  Clara,  who  happened  to  be  nearest. 

"Yes,  indeed;  it  is  very  like  her  when  she  came. 
Quite  her  sad,  unchildlike  expression,  and  thin  little 
face,  with  the  big  dark  eyes." 

The  picture  was  passed  round,  and  all  agreed  that 
"  it  was  very  like  Rose  a  year  ago."  This  point  being 
settled,  the  Doctor  showed  the  second  picture,  which 
was  received  with  great  approbation,  and  pronounced 
a  "  charming  likeness." 

It  certainly  was,  and  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
first  one,  for  it  was  a  blooming,  smiling  face,  full 
of  girlish  spirit  and  health,  with  no  sign  of  mel- 
ancholy, though  the  soft  eyes  were  thoughtful,  and 
the  lines  about  the  lips  betrayed  a  sensitive  nature. 

Dr.  Alec  set  both  photographs  on  the  chimney- 
piece,  and,  falling  back  a  step  or  two,  surveyed  them 
with  infinite  satisfaction  for  several  minutes,  then 
wheeled  round,  saying  briefly,  as  he  pointed  to  the 
two  faces, — 

"  Time  is  up ;  how  do  you  think  my  experiment 
has  succeeded,  ladies?" 

"  Bless  me,  so  it  is ! "  cried  Aunt  Plenty,  dropping 
a  stitch  in  her  surprise. 

"  Beautifully,  deui-,"  answered  Aunt  Peace,  smiling 
entire  approval. 

"She  certainly  has  improved,  but  appearances  are 


WHICH 'i  285 

deceitful,  and  she  had  no  constitution  to  build  upon," 
croaked  Aunt  Myra. 

"I  am  willing  to  allow  that,  as  far  as  mere  health 
goes,  the  experiment  is  a  success,"  graciously  ob- 
served Aunt  Jane,  unable  to  forget  Rose's  kindness 
to  her  Mac. 

"  So  am  I ;  and  I  '11  go  farther,  for  I  really  do 
believe  Alec  has  done  wonders  for  the  child ;  she 
will  be  a  beauty  in  two  or  three  years,"  added  Aunt 
Clara,  feeling  that  she  could  say  nothing-  better  than 
that. 

"I  always  knew  he  would  succeed,  and  I'm  so 
glad  you  all  allow  it,  for  he  deserves  more  credit 
than  you  know,  and  more  praise  than  he  will  ever 
get,"  cried  Aunt  Jessie,  clapping  her  hands  with 
an  enthusiasm  that  caused  Jamie's  little  red  stocking 
to  wave  like  a  triumphal  banner  in  the  air. 

Dr.  Alec  made  them  a  splendid  bow,  looking  much 
gratified,  and  then  said  soberly,  — 

"Thank  you;  now  the  question  is,  shall  I  ^o 
on?  —  for  this  is  only  the  beginning.  None  of  you 
know  the  hinderances  I've  had,  the  mistakes  I've 
made,  the  study  I  've  given  the  case,  and.  the  anxiety 
I  've  often  felt.  Sister  Myra  is  right  in  one  thing,  -^ 
Rose  is  a  delicate  creature,  quick  to  flourish  in  the 
sunshine,  and  as  quick  to  droop  without  it.  She 
has  no  special  weakness,  but  inherits  her  mother's 
sensitive  nature,  and  needs  the  wisest,  tenderest  care 
to  keep  a  very  ardent  little  soul  from  wearing  out 
a  finely  organized  little  body.  I  think  I  have  found 
the  right  treatment,  and,  with  you  to  help  me,  I  be- 
lieve we  may  build  up  a  lovely  and  a  noble  woman, 
who  will  be  a  pride  and  comfort  to  us  all." 


286  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

There  Dr.  Alec  stopped  to  get  his  breath,  for  he 
had  spoken  very  earnestly,  and  his  voice  got  a  little 
husky  over  the  last  words.  A  gentle  murmur  from 
the  aunts  seemed  to  encourage  him,  and  he  went 
on  with  an  engaging  smile,  for  the  good  man  was 
slyly  trying  to  win  all  the  ladies  to  vote  for  him 
when  the  time  came. 

"  Now,  I  don't  wish  to  be  selfish  or  arbitrary,  be- 
cause I  am  her  guardian,  and  I  shall  leave  Rose  free 
to  choose  for  herself.  We  all  want  her,  and  if  she 
likes  to  make  her  home  with  any  of  you  rather  than 
with  me,  she  shall  do  so.  In  fact,  I  encouraged  her 
visits  last  winter,  that  she  might  see  what  we  can  all 
offer  her,  and  judge  where  she  will  be  happiest.  Is 
not  that  the  fairest  way  ?  Will  you  agree  to  abide  by 
her  choice,  as  I  do  ?  " 

"  Yes,  we  will,"  said  all  the  aunts,  in  quite  a  flutter 
of  excitement,  at  the  prospect  of  having  Rose  for  a 
whole  year. 

"  Good !  she  will  be  here  directly,  and  then  we  will 
settle  the  question  for  another  year.  A  most  impor- 
tant year,  mind  you,  for  she  has  got  a  good  start,  and 
will  blossom  rapidly  now  if  all  goes  well  with  her. 
So  I  beg  of  you  don't  undo  my  work,  but  deal  very 
wisely  and  gently  with  my  little  girl,  for  if  any  harm 
come  to  her,  I  think  it  would  break  my  heart." 

As  he  spoke.  Dr.  Alec  turned  his  back  abruptly  and 
affected  to  be  examining  the  pictures  again ;  but  the 
aunts  understood  how  dear  the  child  was  to  the  soli- 
tary man  who  had  loved  her  mother  years  ago,  and 
who  now  found  his  happiness  in  cherishing  the  little 
Rose  who  was  so  like  her.     The  good  ladies  nodded 


WHICH? 


287 


and  sighed,  and  telegraphed  to  one  another  that  none 
of  them  would  complain  if  not  chosen,  or  ever  try  to 


THE  COUSINS  HAD  BEEN  A-MAYING. 


rob  Brother  Alec  of  his  "  Heart's  Delight,"  as  the  boys 
called  Rose. 

Just  then  a  pleasant  sound  of  happy  voices  came  up 


288  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

from  the  garden,  and  smiles  broke  out  on  all  serious 
faces.  Dr.  Alec  turned  at  once,  saying,  as  he  threw 
•back  his  head,  "  There  she  is ;  now  for  it !  " 

The  cousins  had  been  a-Maying,  and  soon  came  flock- 
ing in  laden  with  the  spoils. 

"  Here  is  our  bonny  Scotch  rose  with  all  her  thorns 
about  her,"  said  Dr.  Alec,  surveying  her  with  unusual 
pride  and  tenderness,  as  she  went  to  show  Aunt  Peace 
her  basket  full  of  early  flowers,  fresh  leaves,  and  curious 
lichens. 

''  Leave  your  clutter  in  the  hall,  boys,  and  sit  quietly 
down  if  you  choose  to  stop  here,  for  we  are  busy,"  said 
Aunt  Plenty,  shaking  her  finger  at  the  turbulent  clan, 
who  were  bubbling  over  with  the  jollity  born  of  spring 
sunshine  and  healthy  exercise. 

"  Of  course,  we  choose  to  stay !  Would  n't  miss  our 
Saturday  high  tea  for  any  thing,"  said  the  Chief,  as  he 
restored  order  among  his  men  with  a  nod,  a  word,  and 
an  occasional  shake. 

"What  is  up?  a  court-martial?"  asked  Charlie, look- 
ing at  the  assembled  ladies  with  affected  awe  and  real 
curiosity,  for  their  faces  betrayed  that  some  interesting 
business  was  afloat. 

Dr.  Alec  explained  in  a  few  words,  which  he  made 
as  brief  and  calm  as  he  could ;  but  the  effect  was  excit- 
ing, nevertheless,  for  each  of  the  lads  began  at  once  to 
bribe,  entice,  and  wheedle  "  our  cousin  "  to  choose  his 
home. 

"  You  really  ought  to  come  to  us  for  mother's  sake, 
as  a  relish,  you  know,  for  she  must  be  perfectly  satiated 
with  boys,"  began  Archie,  using  the  strongest  argu- 
ment he  could  think  of  at  the  moment. 


WHICH  f  289 

"  Oh,  do  !  we  '11  never  slam,  or  bounce  at  you  or  call 
you  '  fraid  cat,'  if  you  only  will,"  besought  Geordie  and 
Will,  distorting  their  countenances  in  the  attempt  to 
smile  with  overpowering  sweetness. 

"  And  I  '11  always  wash  my  hands  'fore  I  touch  you, 
and  you  shall  be  my  dolly,  'cause  Pokey's  gone  away, 
and  I  '11  love  you  hard^^  cried  Jamie,  clinging  to  her 
with  his  chubby  face  full  of  affection. 

"  Brothers  and  sisters  ought  to  live  together ;  espe- 
cially when  the  brother  needs  some  one  to  make  home 
pleasant  for  him,"  added  Charlie,  with  the  wheedle- 
some  tone  and  look  that  Rose  always  found  so  difficult 
to  resist. 

"  You  had  her  longest,  and  it 's  our  turn  now ;  Mac 
needs  her  more  than  you  do,  Prince,  for  she's  'the 
light  of  his  eyes,'  he  says.  Come,  Rose,  choose  us,  and 
I  '11  never  use  the  musky  pomade  you  hate  again  as  long 
as  I  live,"  said  Steve,  with  his  most  killing  air,  as  he 
offered  this  noble  sacrifice. 

Mac  peered  wistfully  over  his  goggles,  saying  in  an 
unusually  wide-awake  and  earnest  way,  — 

"  Do,  cousin,  then  we  can  study  chemistry  together. 
My  experiments  don't  blow  up  very  often  now,  and  the 
gases  are  n't  at  all  bad  when  you  get  used  to  them." 

Rose  meantime  had  stood  quite  still,  with  the  flowers 
dropping  from  her  hands  as  her  eyes  went  from  one 
eager  fice  to  another,  while  smiles  rippled  over  her  own 
at  the  various  enticements  offered  her.  During  the 
laugh  that  followed  Mac's  handsome  proposition,  she 
looked  at  her  uncle,  whose  eyes  were  fixed  on  her  with 
an  expression  of  love  and  longing  that  went  to  her 
heart. 

13 


290  EIGHT    COUSINS. 

"  Ah !  yes,"  she  thought,  "  he  wants  me  most !  I  've 
often  longed  to  give  him  something  that  he  wished  for 
very  much,  and  now  I  can." 

So,  when,  at  a  sudden  gesture  from  Aunt  Peace, 
silence  fell.  Rose  said  slowly,  with  a  pretty  color  in  her 
cheeks,  and  a  beseeching  look  about  the  room,  as  if 
asking  pardon  of  the  boys,  — 

"  It 's  very  hard  to  choose  when  everybody  is  so  fond 
of  me  ;  therefore  I  think  I  'd  better  go  to  the  one  who 
seems  to  need  me  most." 

"No,  dear,  the  one  you  love  the  best  and  will  be 
happiest  witli,"  said  Dr.  Alec  quickly,  as  a  doleful  sniff 
from  Aunt  Myra,  and  a  murmur  of  "  My  sainted  Caro- 
line," made  Rose  pause  and  look  that  way. 

"  Take  time,  cousin ;  don't  be  in  a  hurry  to  make  up 
your  mind,  and  remember,  'Codlin's  your  friend,'" 
added  Charlie,  hopeful  still. 

"  I  don't  want  any  time !  I  hiow  who  I  love  best, 
who  I  'm  happiest  with,  and  I  choose  uncle.  Will  he 
have  me  ?  "  cried  Rose,  in  a  tone  that  produced  a  sym- 
pathetic thrill  among  the  hearers,  it  was  so  full  of  ten- 
der confidence  and  love. 

If  she  really  had  any  doubt,  the  look  in  Dr.  Alec's 
face  banished  it  without  a  word,  as  he  opened  wide  his 
arms,  and  she  ran  into  them,  feeling  that  home  was 
there. 

No  one  spoke  for  a  minute,  but  there  were  signs  of 
emotion  among  the  aunts,  which  warned  the  boys  to 
bestir  themselves  before  the  water-works  began  to 
play.  So  they  took  hands  and  began  to  prance  about 
uncle  and  niece,  singing,  with  sudden  inspiration,  the 
nursery  rhyme,  — 

"  Ring  around  a  Rosy  !  " 


WHICH?  291 

Of  course  that  put  an  end  to  all  sentiment,  and  Rose 
emerged  laughing  from  Dr.  Alec's  bosom,  with  the 
mark  of  a  waistcoat  button  nicely  imprinted  on  her 
left  cheek.  He  saw  it,  and  said  with  a  merry  kiss  that 
half  effaced  it,  "  This  is  my  ewe  lamb,  and  I  have  set 
my  mark  on  her,  so  no  one  can  steal  her  away." 

That  tickled  the  boys,  and  they  set  up  a  shout  of 

"  Uncle  had  a  little  lamb  ! " 

But  Rose  hushed  the  noise  by  slipping  into  tlie  cir- 
cle, and  making  them  dance  prettily,  —  like  lads  and 
lasses  round  a  May-pole ;  while  Phebe,  coming  in  with 
fresh  water  for  the  flowers,  began  to  twitter,  chirp,  and 
coo,  as  if  all  the  birds  of  the  air  had  come  to  join  in 
the  spring  revel  of  the  eight  cousins. 


END    OF    PART     FIRST. 


University  Press  ;  John  Wilson  &  Son,  Cambridgu. 


LOUISA  M.  ALCOTT'S  WRITINGS. 


**  Miss  Alcott  is  really  a  benefactor  of  households?^  —  H.  H. 

♦*  Miss  Alcott  has  a  faculty  of  entering  into  the  lives  and  feelings  oj 
children  that  is  conspicuously  wantittg  in  most  writers  who  address  them 
and  to  this  cause,  to  the  consciottsttess  among  her  readers  that  they  are  hear 
ing  about  people  like  themselves,  instead  of  abstract  qualities  labelled  wiih 
names,  the  popularity  of  her  books  is  due.^'  —  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hale. 

"  Dear  Awit  Jo !      You   are  embalmed  in  the  thoughts  and  loves  op 
thousands  of  little  men  and  little  women  "  —  Exchange. 


1.50 


1.50 


1.50 


Little'Women;  or,  Meg,  Jo, Beth, 

and  Amy.  With  illustrations  i6mo  ^1.50 
Hospital    Sketches,    and    Camp 

and    Fireside    Stories.       With 

illustrations.      i6nio 1.50 

An   Old-Fashioned    Girl.      With 

illustrations.     i6mo 1.50 

Little  Men  :  Life  at  Plumfield  with 

Jo's    Boys.       With    illustrations. 

i6nio 1.50 

Jo's  Boys  and  How  they  Turned 

Out.     A  sequel   to  "  Little   Men." 

With  portrait  of  "  Aunt  Jo  "    i6mo     1.50 

Eight  Cousins  ;  or,  The  Aunt-Hill. 
With  illustrations.     i6mo     .     .     . 

Rose  in  Bloom.  A  sequel  to 
"  Eight  Cousins."     i6mo      .     .     . 

Under  the  Lilacs.  With  illustra- 
tions.    i6mo 

Jack  and    Jill.    A  Village   Story. 

With  illustrations.     i6mo     .     .     .     1.50 

Work :  A  Story  of  Experience. 
With  character  illustrations  by 
Sol  Eytinge.     i6mo i.jo 

Moods.  A  Novel.  New  edition, 
revised  and  enlarged.     i6mo     .     .     1.50 

Silver  Pitchers  and  Indepen- 
dence. A  Centennial  Love  Story. 
t6mo ,     ,     1.25 

Proverb  Stories.  New  edition,  re- 
vised and  enlarged.     i6mo    .     .     .     1.25 

Spinning-Wheel  Stories.  With 
illustrations.     i6nio 1.25 

My  Boy?,  &c.  First  volume  of 
Aunt  Jo's  Scrap-Bag.     i6mo    .   .     i.oo 

These  books  are  for  sale  at  all  bookstores,  or  will  be  mailed,  post-paid^  ok 

receipt  of  price,  to  any  address. 

ROBERTS    BROTHERS,    Publishers, 

Boston,  Mast 


Shawl-Straps.  Second  volume  of 
Aunt  Jo's  Scrap- Bag,     i6mo    .     .   $1.00 

Cupid  and  Chow-Chow,  &c. 
1  hird  volume  of  Aunt  Jo's  Scrap- 
Bag.     i6mo I.oo 

My  Girls,  &c.  Fourth  volume  of 
Aunt  Jo'.';  Jcrap-Bag.      i6iXio   .     .      i.oo 

Jimmy's  Cruise  in  the  Pinafore, 
&c.  Fifth  volume  of  Aunt  Jo's 
Scr.tp-Bag.     i6mo r.oc 

An  Old-Fashioned  Thanksgiv- 
ing, &c.  Sixth  volume  of  Aunt 
Jo's  Scrap- Bag.      i6mo    ....     i.oo 

Little  Women.  Illustrated.  Em- 
bellished with  nearly  200  charac- 
teristic illustrations  from  original 
designs  drawn  expressly  for  this 
edition  of  this  noted  American 
Classic.  One  small  quarto,  bound 
in  cloth,  with  emblematic  designs      a.50 

Little  'Women  Series.  Com- 
prising Little  Women  ;  Little 
Men;  Eight  Cousins;  Under 
the  Lilacs  ;  An  Old-Fashioned 
Girl ;  Jo's  Boys  ;  Rose  in 
Bloom ;  Jack  and  Jill.  8  large 
i6mo  volumes  in  a  handsome 
box 12.00 

Each  volum.e  is  ccmplete  la  itself 
and  is  sold  separately. 

Lulu's  Library.  Vol.  L  A  col- 
lection of  New  Stories.     i6tno    •     1.00 


LOUISA  M.  ALOOTT'S  FAMOUS  BOOKS. 


«< 


A  Sequel  TO 


p» 


T»fioe    $1.50. 

—• 

ROBERTS    BROTHERS,    Publishers, 

Boston* 


LOUISA  M.  ALOOTT'S  FAMOUS  BOOKS. 


WALTON       RICKETSON,     SCULP. 


8. 


5v 


""-^ 


^>^*S^<L,0^5^ 


JO'S  BOYS,  AND  HOW  THEY  TURNED  OUT.  A 
J  sequel  to  "  Little  Men."  With  a  new  portrait  of  "  Aunt 
Jo."     Price,  $1.50. 

EGBERTS  BEOTHERS.  Publishers,  Boston, 


LOUISA  M.  ALCOTT'S  FAMOUS  BOOKS 


AN  OLD-FASHIONED   GIRL. 

Price  $1.50. 
ROBERTS   BROTHERS.  Publishers,  Boston,